BACKGROUND: The brow lift plays an essential role in upper face rejuvenation. The authors designed a new brow lift technique, the endoscope-assisted trichophytic anterior hairline brow lift. It combines the advantages of an endoscopic approach and an anterior hairline approach. This technique was applied to 13 patients with aesthetically excellent results. METHODS: A trichophytic incision line was designed within the fine hairs of the entire anterior hairline and the incision was extended to the temporal hair-bearing scalp. After the incision, most of the procedures were conducted in a similar way to the conventional endoscopic brow lift. Without direct visualization, the dissection was extended down onto the root of the nose and the forehead. An endoscope was used from 2 cm above the supraorbital notch to avoid supraorbital nerve injury. Scars were assessed with the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) at the time the sutures were removed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was checked at postoperative 1-year follow-up. The surgical outcomes for brow position and subjective satisfaction were rated with the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at postoperative 1-month follow-up. The dermatome of the deep branch of the supraorbital nerve, especially around the hairline, was checked with a two-point discrimination test. RESULTS: From October 2012 through August 2015, 13 endoscope-assisted trichophytic anterior hairline brow lifts were performed. The GAIS score was 1.62 on average. The VAS score was 2.09 on average. No permanent nerve damage has been reported except for 2 cases of temporary paresthesia. These fully recovered at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we think our technique could be a safe and effective treatment option for brow ptosis patients with a high hairline.
Cicatrix ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Endoscopes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead ; Hair ; Humans ; Nose ; Paresthesia ; Rejuvenation ; Rhytidoplasty ; Scalp ; Sutures

There are many variant forms in Turner's syndrome which is characterized by female phenotype, short height, primary amenorrhea, infertility, abnormal secondary sexual development, and mental retardation. Among these 45,XO/46,XX/47,XXX form is known as rare variant of Turner's syndrome. 45,XO/46,XX/47,XXX mosaicism is characterized by normal height, possibility of normal sexual development, menstrual/pregnancy history and normal intelligence. We report a cse of 45,XO/46,XX/47,XXX Turner's syndrome associated with primary amenorrhea in 17-year old Korean female.
Adolescent ; Amenorrhea* ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; Intellectual Disability ; Intelligence ; Mosaicism* ; Phenotype ; Sexual Development ; Turner Syndrome

PURPOSE: Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA is a virulence factor associated with periodontal diseases, but its role in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the condition of peri-implant tissue and the distribution of P. gingivalis fimA genotypes in Koreans using a new primer. METHODS: A total of 248 plaque samples were taken from the peri-implant sulci of 184 subjects. The control group consisted of sound implants with a peri-implant probing depth (PD) of 5 mm or less with no bleeding on probing (BOP). Test group I consisted of implants with a peri-implant PD of 5 mm or less and BOP, and test group II consisted of implants with a peri-implant PD of more than 5 mm and BOP. DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed a using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with P. gingivalis-specific primers, followed by an additional PCR assay to differentiate the fimA genotypes in P. gingivalis- positive subjects. RESULTS: The Prevalence of P. gingivalis in each group did not significantly differ (P>0.05). The most predominant fimA genotype in all groups was type II. The prevalence of type Ib fimA was significantly greater in test group II than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fimA type Ib genotype of P. gingivalis was found to play a critical role in the destruction of peri-implant tissue, suggesting that it may be a distinct risk factor for peri-implantitis.
DNA ; Genotype* ; Hemorrhage ; Peri-Implantitis ; Periodontal Diseases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyromonas gingivalis* ; Porphyromonas* ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Virulence ; Virulence Factors

No abstract available.
Down Syndrome* ; Myeloproliferative Disorders*

PURPOSE: To analyze the overall clinical outcome, overall assessment, and patient's satisfaction rate of subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on 17 patients, 17 feet who underwent subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw from March, 1997 to March, 2004 with at least 1 year follow-up. The average follow-up period was 33.0 months (12 to 72 months). Functional results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, and Visual Analysis Scale (VAS) pain score, patients' returning to previous occupation and patients' satisfaction rate were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS scores at final follow-up were 80.4 points (range 66~92). The satisfactory rates were as follow. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were at least satisfied with surgical result at final follow-up. Patients' VAS pain score was average 2.8 points (1~6). Fourteen (82.3%) patients returned to previous job at mean postoperative period of 11.3 months (range 3-18 months). Patients' work efficiency after returning to previous occupation was 68.7% (range 33~100%). There were 9 complications which were 3 cases of sural nerve injury, 1 case of valgus malunion, and 5 cases of the hindfoot residual pain. CONCLUSION: We obtained the satisfactory functional results with relatively high patient satisfaction rate of 76%. So we conclude that subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw is a reliable method for addressing the painful end-stage subtalar osteoarthritis and unreconstructible comminuted calcaneal fractures. However we also found out that average 11 months were necessary for patients to return to their job.
Ankle ; Arthrodesis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Occupations ; Osteoarthritis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Period ; Sural Nerve

PURPOSE: To analyze the overall clinical outcome, overall assessment, and patient's satisfaction rate of subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on 17 patients, 17 feet who underwent subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw from March, 1997 to March, 2004 with at least 1 year follow-up. The average follow-up period was 33.0 months (12 to 72 months). Functional results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, and Visual Analysis Scale (VAS) pain score, patients' returning to previous occupation and patients' satisfaction rate were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS scores at final follow-up were 80.4 points (range 66~92). The satisfactory rates were as follow. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were at least satisfied with surgical result at final follow-up. Patients' VAS pain score was average 2.8 points (1~6). Fourteen (82.3%) patients returned to previous job at mean postoperative period of 11.3 months (range 3-18 months). Patients' work efficiency after returning to previous occupation was 68.7% (range 33~100%). There were 9 complications which were 3 cases of sural nerve injury, 1 case of valgus malunion, and 5 cases of the hindfoot residual pain. CONCLUSION: We obtained the satisfactory functional results with relatively high patient satisfaction rate of 76%. So we conclude that subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw is a reliable method for addressing the painful end-stage subtalar osteoarthritis and unreconstructible comminuted calcaneal fractures. However we also found out that average 11 months were necessary for patients to return to their job.
Ankle ; Arthrodesis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Occupations ; Osteoarthritis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Period ; Sural Nerve

Leukotriene B4(LTB4), derived from arachidonic acid, is a potent chemotactic agent and activating factor for hematopoietic cells. In addition to host defense in vivo, several eicosanoids have been reported to be involved in stem cell differentiation or proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effect of LTB4 on human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). LTB4 was shown to induce proliferation of HSC and exert anti-apoptotic effect on the stem cells. Blockade of interaction between LTB4 and its receptor enhanced self-renewal of the stem cells. Effect of LTB4 on differentiation of CD34+ HSCs were confirmed by clonogenic assays, and induction of the expression of BLT2 (the low- affinity LTB4 receptor), during the ex vivo expansion was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR. Our results suggest that LTB4-BLT2 interaction is involved in the cytokine-induced differentiation and ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells.
Antigens, CD34/metabolism ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Fetal Blood/cytology/drug effects ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*drug effects/metabolism ; Humans ; Leukotriene B4/*pharmacology ; Receptors, Leukotriene B4/genetics/metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Signal Transduction

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a widely used procedure for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Because endoscopic DCR has shown higher success rate, fewer complications, and better cosmetic outcome compared to the conventional external approach, it has replaced the external approach. However, since the openings of the nasal cavity formed during surgery are small, recurrence often occurs due to stenosis caused by granuloma formation or the silicone tube. Hence, it is important to remove the silicone tube before granuloma formation around the openings of the nasal cavity after surgery. Failure to remove the silicone tube at the appropriate time can cause inflammation, resulting in granuloma formation. We recently experienced two cases of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction caused by a remaining silicone tube. Here, we present these cases with a brief review of the literature.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Granuloma ; Inflammation ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Recurrence ; Silicon* ; Silicones*

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha