PURPOSE: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG motif(CpG ODN), as potent inducers of Th1 immunity, are considered promising candidates for immune modulation in asthma. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of CpG ODN on eosinophilia and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammation and the optimal route(systemic vs mucosal) of CpG ODN. We examined the difference of immunologic responses between CpG ODN and corticosteroids. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice, induced pulmonary allergic inflammation, were treated intranasally or intraperitoneally with CpG ODN and Dexamethasone. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokines(IL-4, IL-5, IL-12), and eosinophilic inflammation of the airways were investigated on BALF and splenocyte. RESULTS: CpG ODN effectively induced IL-12 and inhibited IL-4 and IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when CpG ODN was administered intranasally or intraperitoneally with allergen challenge. Therapy with corticosteroides, while effective inhibiting IL-5 generation, did not induced IL-12 in BALF. CONCLUSION: Systemic or mucosal administration of CpG ODN effectively stimulated the production of Th1 cytokines and suppressed eosinophilic airway inflammation in contrast of corticosteroids and control ODN. Thus, CpG ODN vaccination is a potentially useful approach for immunomodulation of established airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.
Administration, Mucosal ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Asthma ; Cytokines* ; Dexamethasone ; Eosinophilia* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Immunomodulation ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites on cosmetic contact lenses (CLs) with and without CL care multipurpose solution (MPS) treatment. METHODS: Acanthamoeba lugdunensis L3a trophozoites were inoculated onto disks trimmed from CLs: 1-day Acuvue moist, 1-day Acuvue define, Acuvue 2, and Acuvue 2 define. After 18-hour inoculation, the number of adherent trophozoites was counted under phase contrast microscopy. The effects of MPS, Opti-Free Express, soaking CLs for 6 hours, on Acanthamoeba adhesion were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic examination was performed for assessment of Acanthamoeba attached on the lens surface. RESULTS: Acanthamoeba trophozoites showed greater adhesion to cosmetic CL (P = 0.017 for 1-day CL and P = 0.009 for 2-week CL) although there was no significant difference between the types of cosmetic CL. On all lenses, the number of adherent Acanthamoeba was significantly reduced after treatment with MPS (P < 0.001 for 1-day Acuvue moist, P = 0.046 for 1-day Acuvue define, P < 0.001 for Acuvue 2, and P = 0.015 for Acuvue 2 define), but there was still significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs (P = 0.003 for 1-day CL and P < 0.001 for 2-week CL, respectively). More attachment of Acanthamoeba was observed on colored area and the acanthopodia of Acanthamoeba was placed on the rough surface of colored area. CONCLUSION: Acanthamoeba showed a greater affinity for cosmetic CL and mostly attached on colored area. Although MPS that contained myristamidopropyl dimethylamine reduced the adhesion rate, there was a significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs.
Acanthamoeba ; Contact Lenses ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Trophozoites

OBJECTIVE: Low cholesterol is associated with depression among western countries. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cholesterol and depression in Korean population with low levels of serum cholesterol. METHODS: The data of about 740,000 individuals, aged 30-64 years at entry in the Korean Cancer Prevention Study, were used. Total cholesterol levels were measured in 1992. Depression was measured using the modified DSM-IV (Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Episode in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV) scale. Total cholesterol was classified into four groups (quartile). Odds Ratios of low level of cholesterol were evaluated using multi-variable logistic models. RESULTS: The prevalence of major depression was 7.7% in men and 10.4% in women. After adjustment for various confounding variables, an inverse association was detected between cholesterol levels and depression intensity among men and women. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the lowest quartile of cholesterol was 1.16 (1.13-1.20) on major depression compared with the highest quartile of cholesterol in men. The corresponding odds ratio among women was 1.09 (1.04-1.15). The strongest association among 9 items of depression was found at "decreased appetite and lost weight" in both men (OR=1.68) and women (OR=1.43). CONCLUSION: Low cholesterol is associated with major depression in men and women. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the cross-validation, to explore the biological mechanism, and to identify the clinical implication.
Appetite ; Cholesterol ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Depression* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence

Cell therapy using stem cells has produced therapeutic benefits in animal models of COPD. Secretory mediators are proposed as one mechanism for stem cell effects because very few stem cells engraft after injection into recipient animals. Recently, nanovesicles that overcome the disadvantages of natural exosomes have been generated artificially from cells. We generated artificial nanovesicles from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) using sequential penetration through polycarbonate membranes. ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles displayed a 100 nm-sized spherical shape similar to ASC-derived natural exosomes and expressed both exosomal and stem cell markers. The proliferation rate of lung epithelial cells was increased in cells treated with ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles compared with cells treated with ASC-derived natural exosomes. The lower dose of ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles had similar regenerative capacity compared with a higher dose of ASCs and ASC-derived natural exosomes. In addition, FGF2 levels in the lungs of mice treated with ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles were increased. The uptake of ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles was inhibited by heparin, which is a competitive inhibitor of heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is associated with FGF2 signaling. Taken together, the data indicate that lower doses of ASC-derived artificial nanovesicles may have beneficial effects similar to higher doses of ASCs or ASC-derived natural exosomes in an animal model with emphysema, suggesting that artificial nanovesicles may have economic advantages that warrant future clinical studies.
Animals ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Emphysema* ; Epithelial Cells ; Exosomes ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans ; Heparin ; Lung ; Membranes ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Stem Cells

Chondrodysplasia punctata is a rare congenital syndrome caused by a peroxisomal dysfunction. Chondrodysplasia punctata is classified into four main types-Coradi-Hunermann's type, rhizomelic type, X-linked dominant form and X-linked recessive form. A male patient with this condition was born at 39 weeks gestation, the pregnancy being complicated by polyhydroamnios, breech presentation, and anomalies of congenital limbs. At delivery, there was no activity and no initial crying. Physical examination revealed a flat nose, a short neck, scaled ichthyolytic skin, and bilaterally symmetrical shortening of the upper and lower extremities. Choromosomal analysis revealed a 46, XY karyotype. Radiologic examination disclosed stippling of the cartilage on the epiphyseal regions of the long bones, paravertebral regions, carpal bones and tarsal bones. In additions, a chest x-ray showed right pneumothorax. Chest and endotracheal tubes were inserted. However, the patient died due to respiratory failure at 19 days of life. We report a case of rhizomelic type of chondrodysplasia punctata assocoated with pneumothorax with a brief review of the related literatures.
Breech Presentation ; Carpal Bones ; Cartilage ; Chondrodysplasia Punctata ; Crying ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Neck ; Nose ; Physical Examination ; Pneumothorax* ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Skin ; Tarsal Bones ; Thorax

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the true extent of non-responsiveness in full-term infants born from HBsAg-negative or HBsAg-positive mothers and vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) at 0, 1, and 6 months of age and to evaluate the effect of revaccination among non-responders. METHODS: The study included 716 full-term infants born in 2004-2007. Of 716, 662 infants (A group) were born to HBsAg- negative mothers and 54 infants (B group: 50, except HBsAg-positive infants) were born to HBsAg-positive mothers. All infants were administered DNA recombinant vaccines at 0, 1, and 6 months of age. B group infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. Anti-HBs titers were tested at 7-12 and 9-15 months in A and B groups, respectively. Three revaccination doses were administered to non-responders whose anti-HBs titers were under 10 mIU/ml; revaccinated infants were retested at 1-3 months after last vaccination. The association between HBeAg seropositivity of mother and the failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was evaluated. RESULTS: The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were higher in A group (94.1%) than in B group (78%, P<0.001). The seroconversion rates were high in revaccinated infants (A group non-responders: 96.9%, B group non- responders: 87.5%). The failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was significantly associated with maternal HBeAg seropositivity (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were low in B group infants. Revaccination of non-responders in B group was very effective. Therefore, anti-HBs testing and revaccination of B group is very important. Revaccination of non-responders in A group was also very effective. Thus, testing the immune status of infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers even after primary hepatitis B vaccination should be considered. However, to realize this, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of anti-HBs testing in healthy full-term infants are necessary.
DNA ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Immunoglobulins ; Infant ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Synthetic

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from bone marrow or adipose tissue can successfully repair emphysematous animal lungs, which is a characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Here, we describe the cellular distribution of MSCs that were intravenously injected into mice with elastase-induced emphysema. The distributions were also compared to the distributions in control mice without emphysema. METHODS: We used fluorescence optical imaging with quantum dots (QDs) to track intravenously injected MSCs. In addition, we used a human Alu sequence-based real-time polymerase chain reaction method to assess the lungs, liver, kidney, and spleen in mice with elastase-induced emphysema and control mice at 1, 4, 24, 72, and 168 hours after MSCs injection. RESULTS: The injected MSCs were detected with QD fluorescence at 1- and 4-hour postinjection, and the human Alu sequence was detected at 1-, 4- and 24-hour postinjection in control mice (lungs only). Injected MSCs remained more in mice with elastase-induced emphysema at 1, 4, and 24 hours after MSCs injection than the control lungs without emphysema. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results show that injected MSCs were observed at 1 and 4 hours post injection and more MSCs remain in lungs with emphysema.
Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Tracking ; Emphysema* ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Mice ; Optical Imaging ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Quantum Dots ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and small airway remodeling. The alveolar destruction associated with emphysema cannot be repaired by current clinical practices. Stem cell therapy has been successfully used in animal models of cigarette smoke- and elastase-induced emphysema. However, the optimal dose of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the most effective therapy has not yet been determined. It is vital to determine the optimal dose of MSCs for clinical application in emphysema cases. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of various doses of MSCs on elastase-induced emphysema in mice. When 3 different doses of MSCs were intravenously injected into mice treated with elastase, only 5x10(4) MSCs showed a significant effect on the emphysematous mouse lung. We also identified action mechanisms of MSCs based on apoptosis, lung regeneration, and protease/antiprotease imbalance. RESULTS: The MSCs were not related with caspase-3/7 dependent apoptosis. But activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 increased by emphysematous lung was decreased by intravenously injected MSCs. Vascular endothelial growth factor were also increased in lung from MSC injected mice, as compared to un-injected mice. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on the optimal dose of MSCs as a therapeutic candidate. This data may provide important basic data for determining dosage in clinical application of MSCs in emphysema patients.
Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Emphysema ; Humans ; Lung ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Methods ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Pancreatic Elastase* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; Tobacco Products ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The long arm duplication of chromosome 3 was reported for the first time in 1966 by Falek et al., and Hirschhorn et al. came to identify the duplication of 3q21--> qter region in 1973. In most cases of duplication 3q syndrome patients, pure duplication of 3qter is believed to be rare and is often reported accompanied with deletion of another segment of the chromosome. Approximately 75 percent of parents of the patient in the meantime have been demonstrated to have unbalanced translocations or inversions of the chromosome. Partial deletion of the distal part of the short arm of chromosome 3 was first reported by Verjaal and De Nef in 1978 and terminal deletion of chromosome 3 (3p25- qter) has been observed in most cases. In karyotyping of chromosomes of immature infants showing the manifestations of flat occiputs, low set ears, hypertelorism, broad nasal roots, thin lips, web necks, hypotonia, hypertrichosis skin, cryptorchidism etc, we experienced a case diagnosed as 46, XY, rec (3) dup (3) (q21) del (3) (p25) inv (3) (p25q21).
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Humans

Autoimmune Diseases ; Exocrine Glands ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Tooth Extraction ; Xerostomia