Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes TTAGGG telomeric DNA onto chromosomal ends to compensate for sequence loss during replication. It has been detected in a variety of human malignancies, suggesting that such activity may play a role in the tumorigenic process. To determine whether telomerase is reactivated in malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 12 tissue samples with this tumor were analyzed for the telomerase activity by a radioactive PCR-based TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay. All of the tumors were further investigated for the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR) by an in situ hybridization (ISH). Telomerase activity was detected in one (8.3%) sample. Expression of hTR was demonstrated in 7 (58.3%): one telomerase-positive and six telomerase-negatives. These data indicate that the reactivation of telomerase is an uncommon event and not an important factor involved in tumorigenesis in malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It is noteworthy that 50% of the patients with grade 2 tumors expressed hTR, suggesting that telomerase RNA may be useful as a marker for identifying tumor aggressiveness earlier than the conventional histopathologic grading scale.
Carcinogenesis ; DNA ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; RNA* ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; Telomerase*

Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a newly reported dental anomaly with molar root deformity and incisor crown defects. MIM-affected teeth may cause severe pain with no apparent tooth caries. Since the affected molars clinically appear normal, radiographs are recommended for accurate diagnosis on the first visit. Since MIM-affected patients are in mixed dentition, timely and appropriate interventions are needed to avoid unnecessary pain and complicated clinical issues. This report was written to describe two patients who had MIM in early mixed dentition and report their 2-year follow-ups.

The purpose of this study was to compare surface hardness between titanium-nitride coated crowns (TiNCs) and stainless steel crowns (SSCs), and to evaluate the corrosion resistance and color sustainability of TiNCs.
Ten TiNCs and 10 SSCs were used for the hardness test. Measurement was performed 30 times for each type of crowns, and the mean values were compared. Metallic raw material plates (before being processed into crowns) of TiNCs and SSCs were prepared for the corrosion resistance test. The total amounts of metal ion releases in the test solution were detected by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Five TiNCs were subjected to the color sustainability test by applying repetitive brushing forces.
The mean hardness values of TiNC group and SSC group were 395.53 ± 105.90 Hv and 278.70 ± 31.45 Hv respectively. Hardness of TiNCs were significantly higher than that of SSCs. The total amounts of metal ion releases from the materials of TiNCs and SSCs satisfied the criterion in International Organization for Standardization 22674. The results mean that TiNCs and SSCs were not harmful in an acidic environment. The golden coating was stable against the repetitive physical stimulations for a given period time.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8-week lower trapezius strengthening exercise (LTSE) on shoulder pain, function and archery performance. The secondary aim was to identify main factors that have something to do with injury prevention and performance enhancement for elite archers. Methods: Thirty-one elite archers were recruited and evenly assigned into the LTSE group (n=16) and into the control group (n=15) based on gender and athletes’ career. Shoulder pain was evaluated using Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Shoulder function was assessed using the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), upper quarter Y balance test (UQYBT), Trapezius and Deltoid muscle activity ratios by surface electromyography and the angle of scapula elevation/abduction by 3-dimentional motion analyses. Archery performance was estimated using draw force line (DFL) angle at full bowstring draw position and the scores acquired from real archery shooting. After the baseline measurements, the 8-week LTSEs were implemented and the post-exercise measurements were conducted. Results: In the LTSE group, NPRS score and WOSI score significantly decreased after exercise program. The activity ratio of upper to lower trapezius muscle, scapula elevation angle and the DFL angle were also significantly reduced. The UQYBT scores significantly increased on both shoulders. Conclusion Eight weeks of LTSE has reduced shoulder pain in archers and improved shoulder function and performance factors.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of a 20-gauge and an 18-gauge needle in sono-guided percutaneous automated gun biopsy for establishing the specific diagnosis of renal parenchymal disease in pediatric kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 60 pediatric patients with renal parenchymal diseases, percutaneous sono-guided gun biopsy was performed by an experienced radiologist. In two groups of 30 patients, regardless of their age, two needle passes were performed, using alternately an 18-gauge or a 20-gauge biopsy needle. The core of renal tissue thus obtained was examined with light, immunofluorescent or electron microscopy by the renal pathologist. The mean number of intact glomeruli of whole tissue core per biopsy, as seen on the light microscopy, and post-bioptic complications were compared between the two different needle size groups. RESULTS: The number (mean+/-1 standard deviation) ofglomeruli obtained per biopsy was 17+/-8 in the 18-gauge needle group, and 14+/-5 in the 20-gauge group. Between two groups, there was no major post-bioptic complication requiring specific treatment, nor a statistically significant difference in the frequency of minor complications. CONCLUSION: Even though more glomeruli were obtained with an 18-gauge needle, the number obtained with a 20-gauge needle also permitted adequate pathologic examination. Both an 18-gauge and a 20-gauge needle may thus be suitable for renal biopsy in pediatric patients.
Biopsy* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Needles*

Autophagy is a highly regulated cellular mechanism that results in the bulk degradation of long-lived proteins and organelles and which seems to be implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions relevant to neurological diseases. The formation of intraneuronal mutant protein aggregates is a characteristic of several human neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and polyglutamine disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD). Autophagy is a major clearance pathway for the removal of the mutant huntingtin protein associated with HD, and many other disease-causing, cytoplasmic, aggregate-prone proteins. Autophagy is negatively regulated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and can be induced in all mammalian cell types by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. It can also be induced by an mTOR-independent pathway, which has multiple drug targets, involving links between Ca2+-calpain-Gsa and cAMP-Epac-PLC-e-IP3 signaling. Both pathways enhance the process of autophagy. In this review, we describe the various drugs and pathways that induce autophagy that are potential therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative disorders.
Alzheimer Disease ; Autophagy ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Huntington Disease ; Mutant Proteins ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Organelles ; Parkinson Disease ; Peptides ; Proteins ; Sirolimus

Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome is an uncommon neurocutaneous disorder characterized by nevus sebaceus, seizures, and mental retardation, and is often accompanied by ocular anormalies. We recently experienced a case of conjunctival choristoma associated with linear nevus sebaceous syndrome in a 17-month-old boy. The child was the product of a full-term uncomplicated pregnancy and normal delivery with normal karyotype of 46, XY. He was noted at birth to have a conjunctival mass on the right eye and linear nevi over the midline facial region and right temporoparietal scalp. Ophthalmologic examination revealed optic atrophy, peripapillary staphyloma, macular hypogenesis, and osseous choristoma of the choroid. A computed tomography scan demonstrated widening of the subarachnoid space and moderate atrophy of the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. He has been followed by ophthalmology and completely free of seizures since birth. The patient underwent excision of the conjunctival mass and biopsies of the skin lesion at 17 months of age. Histologic examination of the skin biopsies was characteristic for the linear sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn. Histologic findings of the conjunctival lesion showed a complex choristoma that contained lacrimal gland tissue and cartilage.
Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Cartilage ; Child ; Choristoma* ; Choroid ; Humans ; Infant ; Intellectual Disability ; Karyotype ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Male ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Nevus* ; Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn ; Ophthalmology ; Optic Atrophy ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Scalp ; Seizures ; Skin ; Subarachnoid Space

OBJECTIVES: Autonomic nerve system dysfunction has been reported in patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, studies providing direct evidence of a link between the two have been scarce. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation in post-acute ambulatory outpatients with TBI using an analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: Twenty-one patients with TBI and 21 age- and gender-matched normal controls were evaluated. The HRV assessments were performed using conventional time and frequency domain analyses as well as non-linear complexity analysis. RESULTS: In the patient group, standard deviation values of the RR intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal sinus intervals (RMSSD), total successive RR interval difference (TSRD), and the very low frequency (VLF) power spectral parameter were significantly lower than in the control group. The patients with moderate severity of TBI exhibited a significantly lower value of VLF than those with mild severity. The severity of anxiety symptoms had a tendency to be correlated with the mean heart rate and the ratio of low-to-high frequency spectral power. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide evidence that TBI is associated with reduced HRV, suggesting the critical involvement of central autonomic structures in the pathogenesis of TBI. The HRV measures may serve as an index for monitoring aspects of autonomic function in patients with TBI.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Anxiety ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Autonomic Pathways ; Brain Injuries ; Carbonates ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Outpatients

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the usage patterns of new types of tobacco products (NTTPs) to develop effective strategies for the regulation of NTTPs in Korea. METHODS: We conducted focus group interviews to identify the NTTP usage patterns of research subjects. The NTTPs were limited to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), waterpipe tobacco, and rolling tobacco. We categorized 30 research subjects into 4 groups. The e-cigarette group was divided into adult and adolescent groups. Each group contained 7-8 subjects. An interview lasting approximately 2 hours was conducted with each group. RESULTS: Ninety percent of NTTP users used an NTTP in combination with conventional cigarettes. Subjects mostly bought NTTPs online, unlike how they bought cigarettes. Additionally, a great deal of information, such as how to use NTTPs and descriptions of NTTP products, was exchanged through online or offline societies. The primary reason why the subjects used NTTPs was that NTTPs offer a greater range of flavors and aromas than cigarettes. Moreover, NTTPs were felt to be less repulsive than cigarettes. NTTPs were not used as a cigarette substitute; rather, they were mostly used in places and situations where traditional cigarette smoking was not allowed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the government should conduct studies on the effects of the combined use of NTTPs and cigarettes on the human body, obtain and provide accurate data regarding NTTP use, and develop and implement polices to ban NTTP advertising, which may arouse adolescents' curiosity, and the addition of flavoring substances to tobacco products.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Electronic Cigarettes ; Exploratory Behavior ; Focus Groups* ; Human Body ; Humans ; Korea ; Research Subjects ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products* ; Tobacco*

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to identify prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness(EDS) and its associations with sleep habits, sleep problems, depression, subjective health status and obesity in community dwelling adults. METHOD: Data was collected from adults aged 20-59 years by random sampling. Subjects completed a questionnaire which was composed of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and questions that included items about sleep habits, sleep problems, subjective health status and sociodemographic characteristics. Height and weight were measured for calculation of body mass index. The statistical analyses was based on 3,302 adults (51.5% males and 48.5% females). Descriptive statistics, univariate logistic regression and multiple logistic regression were used. RESULT: The prevalence of EDS was 17.1%. Multiple logistic regression showed that the associated factors of EDS were depression, obesity, dissatisfaction with sleep time, irregular sleep, and habitual snoring. Depression was the most significant associated factor(adjusted odds ratio for severe depression=2.27, 95% Confidence Interval=1.73-2.96). CONCLUSION: EDS is a common symptom in adults. Our finding suggested that persons with a complaint of EDS should be completely assessed for depression and obesity as well as sleep problems.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Depression ; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology