No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to optimize the thread pattern of orthodontic microimplants. METHODS: In search of an optimal thread for orthodontic microimplants, an objective function stability quotient (SQ) was built and solved which will help increase the stability and torsional strength of microimplants while reducing the bone damage during insertion. Selecting the AbsoAnchor SH1312-7 microimplant (Dentos Inc., Daegu, Korea) as a control, and using the thread height (h) and pitch (p) as design parameters, new thread designs with optimal combination of h and p combination were developed. Design soundness of the new threads were examined through insertion strain analyses using 3D finite element simulation, torque test, and clinical test. RESULTS: Solving the function SQ, four new models with optimized thread designs were developed (h200p6, h225p7, h250p8, and h275p8). Finite element analysis has shown that these new designs may cause less bone damage during insertion. The torsional strength of two models h200p6 and h225p7 were significantly higher than the control. On the other hand, clinical test of models h200p6 and h250p8 had similar success rates when compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the new thread designs exhibited better performance than the control which indicated that the optimization methodology may be a useful tool when designing orthodontic microimplant threads.
Finite Element Analysis ; Hand ; Sprains and Strains ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical aspects of peri-implant bone upon root contact of orthodontic microimplant. METHODS: Axisymmetric finite element modeling scheme was used to analyze the compressive strength of the orthodontic microimplant (Absoanchor SH1312-7, Dentos Inc., Daegu, Korea) placed into inter-radicular bone covered by 1 mm thick cortical bone, with its apical tip contacting adjacent root surface. A stepwise analysis technique was adopted to simulate the response of peri-implant bone. Areas of the bone that were subject to higher stresses than the maximum compressive strength (in case of cancellous bone) or threshold stress of 54.8MPa, which was assumed to impair the physiological remodeling of cortical bone, were removed from the FE mesh in a stepwise manner. For comparison, a control model was analyzed which simulated normal orthodontic force of 5 N at the head of the microimplant. RESULTS: Stresses in cancellous bone were high enough to cause mechanical failure across its entire thickness. Stresses in cortical bone were more likely to cause resorptive bone remodeling than mechanical failure. The overloaded zone, initially located at the lower part of cortical plate, proliferated upward in a positive feedback mode, unaffected by stress redistribution, until the whole thickness was engaged. CONCLUSIONS: Stresses induced around a microimplant by root contact may lead to a irreversible loss of microimplant stability.
Bone Remodeling ; Compressive Strength ; Finite Element Analysis ; Head

BACKGROUND: This article intended to identify and describe areas in need of services and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: A descriptive comparison was made between available services and interventions in Seoul, Korea and Massachusetts, USA. Relevant information was obtained through sending phone/email inquiries to the governments and organizations, visiting their official websites, and searching for published articles or reports. RESULTS: In a few areas such as level of education, economy, and general quality of healthcare, Seoul was found to be similar to Massachusetts. However, in terms of services and interventions for individuals with ASD and their families, especially early identification and intervention, special education, care coordination, school-based programs, and transition to adulthood, Massachusetts was shown to have far more availability. CONCLUSION: The limited availability of services and interventions for individuals with ASD and their families in Seoul in comparison to Massachusetts, underlines target areas for further investment and development.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Autistic Disorder ; Education ; Education, Special ; Humans ; Investments ; Korea ; Massachusetts ; Quality of Health Care ; Seoul

OBJECT: This study was carried out to evaluate immunologic difference between baseline and after 4 weeks drug treatment with atypical antipsychotics (rispreidone) by measurement of serum concentration of 6 cytokines. METHODS: The subjets were composed of 25 patients who are admitted at Dajeon St's Marys hospital of psychiatry department and diagnosed as schizophrenia by DSM-IV diagnositc criteria. We measured serum IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha concenatrations by quantitative ELISA method using ELISA kit (Endogen Inc., Woburn, MA, USA).The two psyciatrists performed PANSS examination between baseline and after 4 weeks risperidone treatments. RESULTS: The serum level of IL-12 was increased significantly after medication of 4 weeks and the serum concentration of IFN-gamma showed the tendency of decreasement but not significant. The serum level of the other cytokines showed no significant change. CONCLUSIONS: We spectulate that the increasement of IL-12 may contribute to role of activation of immune response by treatment of antipsychotic medication (risperidone). This study is first trial of IL-12 study in neuropsychiatric field and IL-12 which play important role of immune response becomes interesting subjects in immune research.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Cytokines* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Risperidone* ; Schizophrenia* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1), also known as chemokine ligand 12, and chemokine receptor type 4 are involved in cancer cell migration. Compound K (CK), a metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside by gut microbiota, is reported to have therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. However, the inhibitory effect of CK on SDF-1 pathway-induced migration of glioma has not yet been established. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity of CK in C6 glioma cells was determined using an EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit. Cell migration was tested using the wound healing and Boyden chamber assay. Phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC)α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by western blot assay, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMP) were measured by gelatin-zymography analysis. RESULTS: CK significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKCα and ERK1/2, expression of MMP9 and MMP2, and inhibited the migration of C6 glioma cells under SDF-1-stimulated conditions. CONCLUSIONS: CK is a cell migration inhibitor that inhibits C6 glioma cell migration by regulating its downstream signaling molecules including PKCα, ERK1/2, and MMPs.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Glioma* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Metalloproteases ; Panax ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinase C ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1), also known as chemokine ligand 12, and chemokine receptor type 4 are involved in cancer cell migration. Compound K (CK), a metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside by gut microbiota, is reported to have therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. However, the inhibitory effect of CK on SDF-1 pathway-induced migration of glioma has not yet been established. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity of CK in C6 glioma cells was determined using an EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit. Cell migration was tested using the wound healing and Boyden chamber assay. Phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC)α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by western blot assay, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMP) were measured by gelatin-zymography analysis. RESULTS: CK significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKCα and ERK1/2, expression of MMP9 and MMP2, and inhibited the migration of C6 glioma cells under SDF-1-stimulated conditions. CONCLUSIONS: CK is a cell migration inhibitor that inhibits C6 glioma cell migration by regulating its downstream signaling molecules including PKCα, ERK1/2, and MMPs.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Glioma* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Metalloproteases ; Panax ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinase C ; Wound Healing

No abstract available.
Niemann-Pick Disease, Type A*

Inguinal hernia repair can result in paresthesia and/or pain in the inguinal region. Pharmacological and surgical management often yield inconsistent results associated with considerable risks and side effects. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) is a neuro-destructive treatment for severe pain, but associated with hypoesthesia, neuritis-like reactions, and occasional neuroma formation. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), unlike RF, delivers high intensity currents in pulses, is non-neurodestructive, and therefore less painful, without the potential complications. Here we report on PRF in chronic postoperative inguinal pain. A 23-year-old male who received right inguinal hernia repair and complained of right sided groin pain for approximately 10 years underwent PRF at the L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). He then reported a decrease in pain from 80-90/100 mm to 15-30/100 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS), which lasted for twelve months.
Electrocoagulation ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Groin ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Male ; Neuroma ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that phototherapy, if the total serum bilirubin (TSB) is > or = 14mg/dl, would decrease not only in frequency and duration, but complications due to phototherapy, such as weight loss, rash, temperature instability, feeding intolerance, and diarrhea, would decrease when compared to phototherapy TSB > or = 10mg/dl after 48 hours of life in healthy term newborns without hemolysis. METHODS: Forty healthy newborns born by cesarean section in Hanyang University Kuri Hospital from February, 1996 and March, 1996 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups according to different guidelines of phototherapy after 48 hours of age; study group, phototherapy TSB > or = 14mg/dl and control group, phototherapy TSB > or = 10mg/dl. TSB and body weight were measured every 24 hours from 48 hours of life to 144 hours of life. Exclusion criteria included a positive Coombs test and any pathologic conditions. RESULTS: Eventually, 17 cases were enrolled to the study group and 16 cases to the controls. Ninety-four percent of all newborns were TSB > or = 7mg/dl and 82% TSB > or = 10mg/dl. Among the newborns who reached TSB > or = 10mg/dl, 44% of them were at 48 hours of life. Phototherapy was given in the study group less frequently and shorter than in the controls (6% vs. 82%, P<0.001; 22 hours vs. 70 +/- 49 hours, P=unaccountable). TSB (mean +/- SD, mg/dl) at 120 and 144 hours of life among the newborns who reached TSB > or = 10mg/dl were significant higher in the study group compared to the controls (11.4 +/- 1.4 vs 10.1 +/- 1.7 P=0.046; 11.2 +/- 0.7 vs 8.5 +/- 2.8, P=0.028, respectivelyy). There were no significant differences in complications of phototherapy in two groups. CONCLUSION: Phototherapy if TSB > or = 14mg/dl after 48 hours of life in healty term newborns without hemolysis decreased frequency and duration of phototherapy without any risk of kernicterus compared to phototherapy if if was at TSB > or = 10mg/dl.h
Bilirubin ; Body Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Coombs Test ; Diarrhea ; Exanthema ; Female ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn* ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Neonatal* ; Kernicterus ; Phototherapy* ; Pregnancy ; Weight Loss