No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: Neurotensin (NT), of which functions are evoked by its interaction with neurotensin receptors (NTR), coexists with mesolimbic dopamine and regulates endogenous dopamine release. Recent studies have shown that NT with NTR exerts neuroleptic-like activity within the central nervous system and may play an important role in the pathogenesis and in the treatment of schizophrenia. We have examined the genetic association between schizophrenia and tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism in the 3'-flanking region of the NTR gene to investigate the possible contribution of the NTR gene to the schizophrenia susceptibility. METHODS: Among 23 alleles identified, the subjects were 120 patients (male 91, female 29) with schizophrenia and 106 normal healthy controls (male 84, female 22). They were unrelated native Korean. PANSS was used to determine positive or negative subgroup in the schizophrenic patients.Using polymerase chain reaction and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism (CCTT and CTTT) in the 3'-flanking region of NTR gene was observed. For a comparison of NTR gene's allelic frequencies between patients with schizophrenia and normal healthy controls, chi-square test and Bonferroni's correction was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of A10 allele (base pair size=399) was significantly higher in normal healthy controls than schizophrenia (x2=16.4902, df=1, p<.000). In the comparison between schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms and normal controls, the frequency of A10 allele was significantly higher in normal healthy control subjects than patients with schizophrenia (x2=21.33, df=1, p<0.001). In the case of male, the frequency of A10 allele of schizophrenia was significantly higher than normal controls (x2=13.71, df=1, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NTR gene was negatively associated with schizophrenia. NTR gene's tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism may provide some protective function against schizophrenia.
Alleles ; Central Nervous System ; Dopamine ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Neurotensin* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Neurotensin* ; Schizophrenia*

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by clinical myotonia, persistent spontaneous activity, and skeletal dysplasia (short stature, pigeon breast, micrognathia etc.). We experienced an eleven- year-old girl complaining of gait disturbance and motor weakness of both legs. She was operated for umblical hernia at the age of two and for congenital hip dislocation at the age of six. She displayed short stature, short neck, microstomia, micrognathia, pigeon breast, and calf muscle hypertrophy. Her muscle strength was fair to good grade in both legs. Percussion- and exercise-induced myotonia was observed. Her cognitive function was below-average intelligence. Serum creatine kinase was elevated three to four times of normal level. Routine motor and sensory conduction studies were normal and continuous electrical myotonic discharges were detected in all examined muscles. Clinically, her symptom was non-progressive for three years.
Breast ; Columbidae ; Creatine Kinase ; Female ; Gait ; Hernia ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Intelligence ; Leg ; Microstomia ; Muscle Strength ; Muscles ; Myotonia ; Neck ; Osteochondrodysplasias*

Purpose: This study aimed to gain better understanding of the importance of dental prosthesis order platform services and to identify the essential elements for their enhancement and wider adoption among dental professionals. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted to assess the perspectives of dentists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dental industry professionals toward dental prosthesis ordering and associated platform services (a total of 53 respondents). The questionnaire was devised after an expert review and assessed for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Factor analysis revealed that 57 factors across five categories accounted for 88.417% of the total variance. The survey was administered through an online questionnaire platform, and data analysis was conducted using a statistical software, employing one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05). Results: The essential elements identified were accurate information input, effective communication, delivery of distortion-free impressions, convenience in data transmission and storage, development of stable and affordable platform services (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the importance of these items based on age, dental profession, and career experience (P < 0.05). Conclusion The dental prosthesis ordering platform services, the requirements of dental personnel were stability, economic efficiency, and ease of transmitting and storing prosthesis data. The findings can serve as important indicators for the development and improvement of dental prosthesis order platform services.

No abstract available.
Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled human study. PURPOSE: We checked the proportion of missed syrinx diagnoses among the examinees of the Korean military conscription. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord or brain stem and causes various neurological symptoms. A syrinx could easily be diagnosed by magnetic resonance image (MRI), but missed diagnoses seldom occur. METHODS: In this study, we reviewed 103 cases using cervical images, cervical MRI, or whole spine sagittal MRI, and syrinxes was observed in 18 of these cases. A review of medical certificates or interviews was conducted, and the proportion of syrinx diagnoses was calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of syrinx diagnoses was about 66.7% (12 cases among 18). Missed diagnoses were not the result of the length of the syrinx, but due to the type of image used for the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The missed diagnosis proportion of the syrinx is relatively high, therefore, a more careful imaging review is recommended.
Brain Stem ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Military Personnel ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the usefulness and limitations of chest radiographs in scoliosis screening and to compare these results with those of thoraco-lumbar standing radiographs (TLSR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During Korean conscription, 419 males were retrospectively examined using both chest radiographs and TLSR to confirm the scoliosis and Cobb angle at the Regional Military Manpower. We compared the types of spinal curves and Cobb angles as measured from different radiographs. RESULTS: In the pattern of spinal curves, the overall matching rate of chest radiographs using TLSR was about 58.2% (244 of 419 cases). Cobb angle differences between chest radiographs and TLSR with meaningful difference was observed in 156 cases (37.2%); a relatively high proportion (9.5%) of Cobb angle differences more than 10 degrees was also observed. The matching rate of both spinal curve types and Cobb angle accuracy between chest radiographs and TLSR was 27.9% (117 among 419 cases). Chest radiographs for scoliosis screening were observed with 93.94% of sensitivity and 61.67% of specificity in thoracic curves; however, less than 40% of sensitivity (38.27%, 20.00%, and 25.80%) and more than 95% of specificity (97.34%, 99.69%, and 98.45%) were observed in thoraco-lumbar, lumbar, and double major curves, respectively. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of chest radiographs for scoliosis screening was low. The incidence of thoracic curve scoliosis was overestimated and lumbar curve scoliosis was easily missed by chest radiography. Scoliosis screening using chest radiography has limited values, nevertheless, it is useful method for detecting thoracic curve scoliosis.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic/methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis/*diagnosis/*radiography ; Young Adult

Objective: : The latest version of the Leksell Gamma Knife IconTM allows for mask- and frame-based fixation. Although mask fixation provides fractionated treatment and immobilization using a noninvasive method, it is not free from collision. The authors investigated the collision problem with a modified mask fixation method. Methods: : This study presents a case of two meningiomas in the frontal area, where a collision occurs in the occipital area. A modified mask fixation method was introduced to avoid the collision : first, the edges of the head cushion were cut off and polystyrene beads with a diameter of approximately 5 cm were removed. Next, the head cushion was sealed using a stapler. Finally, the head cushion was flattened in the adapter. We compared the shot coordinates, 3-dimensional (3D) error, clearance distance, and vertical depth of the head cushion between the initial and modified mask fixations. Results: : When comparing the initial and modified mask fixations, the difference in the shot coordinates was +10.5 mm along the y-axis, the difference in the 3D error was approximately 18 mm, and the difference in clearance was -10.2 mm. The head cushion was approximately 8 mm deeper in the modified mask fixation. Conclusion : Based on these findings, we recommend a modified mask fixation method for gamma knife radiosurgery using ICON with a collision.

We report a case of a superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in 52-year old patient with a history of having renal allograft. The pseudoaneurysm spontaneously developed while standing up from squatting position after defecation, and it was successfully managed by an endovascular repair with an endograft. This case suggests that an atherosclerotic superficial femoral artery is vulnerable to torsion and tension movement during changing position from squatting to standing, which is repeatedly practiced by the people using the Korean traditional toilet. The endovascular therapy is also recommended for elderly patients with poor clinical conditions such as having a renal allograft and diffuse atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries.
Aged ; Allografts* ; Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Defecation ; Femoral Artery* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Goblet cell hyperplasia is a critical pathological feature in hypersecretory diseases of the airways. A bacterial infection of the lung is also known to induce inflammatory responses, which can lead to the overproduction of mucus. Recently, mucin synthesis in the airways has been reported to be regulated by neutrophilic inflammation-induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation. In addition, it was reported that migration of the activated neutrophils is dependent on the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9. In this study, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion by EGFR cascade, resulting from the MMPs-dependent neutrophilic inflammation were investigated in the rat airways. METHODS: Pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in vivo. Various concentrations of LPS were instilled into the trachea in 300microliter PBS (LPS group). Sterile PBS (300microliter) was instilled into the trachea of the control animals (control group). The airways were examined on different days after instilling LPS. For an examination of the relationship between the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and MMPs, the animals were pretreated 3 days prior to the LPS instillation and daily thereafter with the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI; 20 mg/Kg/day of CMT-3; Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, USA). The neutrophilic infiltration was quantified as a number in five high power fields (HPF). The alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) stain were performed for the mucus glycoconjugates and the immunohistochemical stains were performed for MUC5AC, EGFR and MMP-9. Their expressions were quantified by an image analysis program and were expressed by the percentage of the total bronchial epithelial area. RESULTS: The instillation of LPS induced AB/PAS and MUC5AC staining in the airway epithelium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment with the MMPI prevented the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia significantly. The instillation of LPS into the trachea induced also EGFR expression in the airway epithelium. The control airway epithelium contained few leukocytes, but the intratracheal instillation of LPS resulted in a neutrophilic recruitment. A pretreatment with MMPI prevented neutrophilic recruitment, EGFR expression, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the LPS-instilled airway epithelium. CONCLUSION: Matrix metalloproteinase is involved in LPS-induced mucus hypersecretion, resulting from a neutrophilic inflammation and EGFR cascade. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role of MMPI in the treatment of mucus hypersecretion that were associated with a bacterial infection of the airways.
Animals ; Bacterial Infections ; Coloring Agents ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epithelium ; Glycoconjugates ; Goblet Cells ; Hyperplasia ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes ; Lung ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; MMPI ; Mucins ; Mucus* ; Neutrophils* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Trachea