T cell activation is a critical event for initiation and regulation of immune responses and inhibitors of such signaling pathways are clinically useful for the treatment of patients received allogratt and autoimmune disease. In the course of screening soil microorganisms from the forest of Cheju island in Korea for new immunosuppressive agent, one of Streptomyces species (CK-95441) was found to produce a new immunosuppressant, tautomycetin which also had antifungal activity. Tautomycetin showed the inhibition of T cell proliferation in murine mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and T cell activation induced by concanavalin A. Tautomycetin also blocked the induction of IL-2 gene expression which was examined in Jurkat TAg cell line in which multiple NFAT-binding sites and minimal IL-2 promoter drive the production of B-galactosidase. Also, the level of inhibition in activation-induced IL-2 receptor expression by tautomycetin was greater than those by cyclosporin A measured by flow cytometry. But, Fas ligand-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells was unaffected by tautomycetin which was measured by DNA fragmentation assay. These results suggested that tautomycetin will be able to be used as a potent immunosuppressive drug following organ transplantation.

OR = 1mm). Serial lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken within 2 weeks preoperatively, within 1 week postoperatively and at a follow up period that ranged from 7 to 24 months postoperatively. All cephalometric radiographs were traced and digitized using the Quick ceph image Pro for analysis. And then, horizontal and vertical changes of reference points(B point, Pogonion, L1) were assessed by the linear measurements in millimeters on both axes. The results were as follows: 1. Mean horizontal relapses were 0.67+/-0.93mm (11%) at B point (P<0.05) and 0.81+/-1.01mm (13.2 %) at Pogonion (P< .01). 2. Mean vertical relapses were 0.63+/-1.62mm (33.3%) at B point and 0.53+/-1.95mm (31.4%) at Pogonion (P>0.05). 3. The mean angular change of occlusal plane to SN was 0.24+/-1.19 (P>0.05) and that of mandibular plane to SN was 1.03+/-1.85 (P<0.05). 4. There was correlation between the extent of preoperative overbite and the postsurgical relapse at B point and Pogonion. 5. There was no correlation between the amount of surgically produced horizontal movement and the postoperative horizontal relapse at B point.]]>
Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Open Bite ; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus ; Overbite ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been postulated to provide a new link between obesity and insulin resistance. We aimed to assess the relationship between serum RBP4 and insulin resistance by investigating serum RBP4 levels in children and adolescents according to degree of obesity and pubertal stage. A total of 103 (30 lean, 39 overweight, 34 obese) were evaluated for serum RBP4, adiponectin, insulin, glucose and lipid profiles. RBP4 levels of obese and overweight groups were higher than those of lean group. RBP4 level was higher in pubertal group than in prepubertal group. RBP4 was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol and triglyceride, and inversely with adiponectin. In the multiple linear regression analysis, RBP4 was found to be independently associated with pubertal stage, BMI and triglyceride but not with HOMA-IR. In conclusion, serum RBP4 level is related with degree of adiposity and pubertal development. The association of RBP4 with insulin resistance is supposed to be secondary to the relation between RBP4 and adipose tissue in children and adolescents.
Adiponectin/blood ; *Adiposity ; Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cholesterol/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin/blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Obesity/*blood/metabolism/physiopathology ; Puberty/*blood/metabolism/physiology ; Republic of Korea ; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/*metabolism ; Sex Factors ; Triglycerides/blood ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find risk factors that are associated with complications of cerebral infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to discover useful association rules among these factors. METHODS: The risk factors with respect to cerebral infarction were selected using logistic regression analysis with the Wald's forward selection approach. The rules to identify the complications of cerebral infarction were obtained by using the association rule mining (ARM) approach. RESULTS: We observed that 4 independent factors, namely, age, hypertension, initial electrocardiographic rhythm, and initial echocardiographic left atrial dimension (LAD), were strong predictors of cerebral infarction in patients with AF. After the application of ARM, we obtained 4 useful rules to identify complications of cerebral infarction: age (>63 years) and hypertension (Yes) and initial ECG rhythm (AF) and initial Echo LAD (>4.06 cm); age (>63 years) and hypertension (Yes) and initial Echo LAD (>4.06 cm); hypertension (Yes) and initial ECG rhythm (AF) and initial Echo LAD (>4.06 cm); age (>63 years) and hypertension (Yes) and initial ECG rhythm (AF). CONCLUSIONS: Among the induced rules, 3 factors (the initial ECG rhythm [i.e., AF], initial Echo LAD, and age) were strongly associated with each other.
Arm ; Association Learning ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cerebral Infarction ; Data Mining ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Mining ; Risk Factors

The purpose of this study is to find the histopathological pattern of cysts. We reviewed the hospital chart, out-patient chart, roentgenogram, histopathologic report and operation report of 152 patients who had been diagnosed as cyst and treated at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Korea university hospital between Jan. 1, 1995 and Dec. 31, 1998. And then we studied clinically with regard to pathological classification, age and sex distribution, anatomical distribution and so on. The results were as follows : 1. In pathologic classification, radicular cyst (97cases, 64%), dentigerous cyst (35cases, 23%), odontogenic keratocyst (8cases, 5.3%) were dominant among cases of cyst. 2. The pattern of age distribution in cases of radicular cyst, dentigerous cyst and odontogenic keratocyst was similar to that found in previous studies. The peak incidence was in the second decade (27%) and third decade (29%) in overall cases. 3. The male-to-female ratio was 1.9 : 1. 4. Radicular cyst occured most frequently in the maxillary incisor teeth area, dentigerous cyst in mandibular wisdom teeth area, and odontogenic keratocyst in mandibular molar area.
Age Distribution ; Classification ; Dentigerous Cyst ; Humans ; Incidence ; Incisor ; Jaw* ; Korea ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Outpatients ; Radicular Cyst ; Sex Distribution ; Surgery, Oral ; Tooth

The systematic study of products from bacteria and fungi has led to the development of two immunosuppressive drugs, cyclosporin A and FK 506 (tacrolimus) which are useful to suppress adaptive immune responses to the grafted tissue. However, they affect all immune responses indiscriminately and are both toxic to kidneys and other organs. To facilitate the development of immunosuppressor to block the T cell receptor (TcR)-mediated signaling cascade specifically, a novel Jurkat T cell transfectants, JK NFAT-SEAP were generated in which the expression of the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) is driven by the multiple NFAT binding sites plus minimal IL-2 promoter. Upon stimulation with ionomycin or anti-TcR mAb OKT3 in the presence of PMA, these transfectants secreted high level of SEAP into the medium, which was conveniently analyzed by SEAP analysis. The secretion of SEAP was effectively inhibited by cyclosporin A or FK 506 at the concentration of [10 ' ug/ml], [10 ug/ml] respectively. JK NFAT-SEAP transfectants will provide two major advantages for the development of a novel immunosuppressor. First, analysis of SEAP secreted into the culture medium by SEAP analysis enables us to test a large number of samples within a short period of time. Second, Usage of IL-2 promoter for the expression of SEAP makes us identify bioproducts to target specifically on TcR-mediated signaling pathway.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bacteria ; Binding Sites ; Cell Line* ; Cyclosporine ; Fungi ; Interleukin-2 ; Ionomycin ; Kidney ; Mass Screening* ; Muromonab-CD3 ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Tacrolimus ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The observation about the movements of laryngopharyngeal or surrounding structures is very important to understand the physiology of phonation or swallowing and to diagnose the disease. Many investigating methods were used but most of them were ineffective because those were invasive or indirect methods. Ultrasonographical examination of larynx can be applied, but the shortcomings of mechanics limits the usage of ultrasonographical study of larynx. Recently, the revolution of computer and videosystem made ultrasonographical study to be applied to the larynx. In this study, authors wanted to find out the availability of the ultrasonographical study of larynx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3.5 and 7.5 MHz probes were applied to anterior neck and the ultrasonographical findings were observed according to the various phonation types. RESULTS: In the axial plane, the movements of bilateral vocal folds were observed. Unilateral movement of vocal cord alone was seen in the case of unilateral vocal cord paralysis. In the parasagittal plane, the movements of whole laryngopharyngeal structures were observed simultaneously. A specific tongue shape was seen on each vowel phonation. On phonation with high pitch, hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage were elevated. And thyroid cartilage was elevated and laid upon the hyoid bone moving medially. On phonation with high pitch extremely, the hyoid bone went down. On phonation loudly, echogenicity of surrounding muscles was increased. CONCLUSION: Authors think that the ultrasonographical study can be applied to the physiologic study of phonation as well as diagnostic tools or therapeutic tools.
Deglutition ; Hyoid Bone ; Larynx* ; Mechanics ; Muscles ; Neck ; Phonation ; Physiology ; Thyroid Cartilage ; Tongue ; Ultrasonography ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; Vocal Cords

0.05) postoperatively. 3. In the facial index, hard tissue decreased(0.23+/-2.21%), but soft tissue increased(2.41+/-3.46%) with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: One of the main purpose of orthognathic surgery is to achieve facial esthetics and harmony. In order to fullfill this purpose, it is important to carry out a precise presurgical treatment planning by estimating the changes of frontal profile after surgery.]]>
Dentofacial Deformities ; Esthetics ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus

Purpose: Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy during reduced-port gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer is a technically challenging technique. No study has yet reported a robotic technique for anastomosis. Therefore, to address this gap, we describe our reduced-port technique and the short-term outcomes of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent a totally robotic reduced-port total or proximal gastrectomy between August 2016 and March 2020. We used an infra-umbilical Single-Site® port with two additional ports on both sides of the abdomen. To transect the esophagus, a 45-mm endolinear stapler was inserted via the right abdominal port. The common channel of the esophagojejunostomy was created between the apertures in the esophagus and proximal jejunum using a 45-mm linear stapler. The entry hole was closed with a 45-mm linear stapler or robot-sewn continuous suture. All anastomoses were performed without the aid of an assistant or placement of stay sutures. Results: Among the 40 patients, there were no conversions to open, laparoscopic, or conventional 5-port robotic surgery. The median operation time and blood loss were 254 min and 50 mL, respectively. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 40.5. The median time to first flatus, soft diet intake, and length of hospital stay were 3, 5, and 7 days, respectively. Three (7.5%) major complications, including two anastomosis-related complications and a case of small bowel obstruction, were treated with an endoscopic procedure and re-operation, respectively. No mortality occurred during the study period. Conclusions Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy during reduced-port gastrectomy can be safely performed and is feasible with acceptable surgical outcomes.

Purpose: No consensus exists on whether to preserve or ligate an aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA), which is the most commonly encountered hepatic arterial variation during gastric surgery. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of ALHA ligation by analyzing the perioperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 5,310 patients who underwent subtotal/total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Patients in whom the ALHA was ligated (n=486) were categorized into 2 groups according to peak aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels: moderate-to-severe (MS) elevation (≥5 times the upper limit of normal [ULN]; MS group, n=42) and no-to-mild (NM) elevation (<5 times the ULN; NM group, n=444). The groups were matched 1:3 using propensity score-matching analysis to minimize confounding factors that can affect the perioperative outcomes. Results: The mean operation time (P=0.646) and blood loss amount (P=0.937) were similar between the 2 groups. The length of hospital stay was longer in the MS group (13.0 vs.7.8 days, P=0.022). No postoperative mortality occurred. The incidence of grade ≥ IIIa postoperative complications (19.0% vs. 5.1%, P=0.001), especially pulmonary complications (11.9% vs. 2.5%, P=0.003), was significantly higher in the MS group. This group also showed a higher Comprehensive Complication Index (29.0 vs. 13.9, P<0.001). Conclusions Among patients with a ligated ALHA, those with peak AST/ALT ≥5 times the ULN showed worse perioperative outcomes in terms of hospital stay and severity of complications. More precise perioperative decision-making tools are needed to better determine whether to preserve or ligate an ALHA.