BACKGROUND: It is not yet clear whether the abnormal cytokine production in relation to serum IgE levels in atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with the amount of mRNA of cytokine gene. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to delineate the effect of reciprocal correlation in the level of mRNA between interleukin-4 (I") and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in severe AD. METHODS: We examined 15 cases including 5 AD patients with high serum IgE (>2,000 kU/liter), 5 AD patients with low serum IgE (<100 kU/liter), and 5 healthy controls. Using semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. RESULTS: 1) IL-4 gene expression in spontaneous PBMC was higher in AD patient groups than in control group, significantly higher only in AD patient group with high serum IgE level (p < 0.05). 2) IFN-γ gene expression in spontaneous PBMC showed increased tendency in AD patient groups than in control group without statistical significance. 3) IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in stimulated PBMC were not different among all three groups. CONCLUSION: In light of our results, high and low IgE subgroups in AD can exist and AD may not be R characterized by the shift in the reciprocal relationship between IL-4 and IFN-γ when T cells are stimulated under antigen presenting cell-independent conditions.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Interferon-gamma* ; Interleukin-4* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology involving the thoracic and abdominal aorta and its major branches. In some cases other vessel such as renal arteries, coronary arteries, and even pulmonary arteries may be involved. Total aortography is very important, because the clinical features are determined by the extent and severity of the specific artery involved in the occlusive phase of the disease. We report a case of Takayasu's arteritis type IV in a 38 year man with pulmonary arterial involvement and pulmo-nary hypertension.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortography ; Arteries ; Arteritis* ; Coronary Vessels ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Renal Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis*

Although a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is commonly observed using microsatellite markers in a cell-proliferating malignant disorder, controversial findings of psoriasis, a keratinocyte-outgrowth disease, remain to be explained. It was hypothesized that unstable natures of the microsatellite markers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) might give a rise to either a false-positive or -negative LOH. Twentyone frozen skin tissues and 33 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archives were obtained from patients with psoriatic plaques and colorectal cancers, respectively. In the frozen psoriatic skin, two of the 17 microsatellite markers selected from 11 chromosomal arms were associated with artifact LOHs that were not reproduced in repeated PCRs. The remaining 15 stable microsatellite markers with few PCR artifacts demonstrated a borderline-level LOH in cases with an ambiguous heterozygosity such as a juxtaposed allelic band. Infrequent LOHs (3 out of 242 heterozygous markers, 1.2%) were detected in psoriatic cases with two separate alleles. In colorectal cancers, a set of the 15 stable microsatellite markers identified a minimal borderline-level LOH at the cut-off point that was same with that of psoriasis. These results indicate that the selection of reproducible microsatellite sequences and the cautious criteria for informative heterozygosity are required to obtain the reliable LOH results from variable genomic DNAs, and that psoriatic lesions harbor few LOH.
Alleles ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*genetics ; DNA/genetics/isolation & purification ; DNA, Neoplasm/genetics/isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; *Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; *Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Psoriasis/*genetics ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of powered toothbrushes for plaque control in patients with peri-implant mucositis, in comparison with manual toothbrushes. METHODS: This randomized, prospective, controlled, clinical parallel study compared the efficacy of manual and powered toothbrushes for plaque control in implant restorations. Patients with bleeding on probing, no residual pocket depth (as indicated by a pocket probing depth > or = 5 mm), and no radiological peri-implant bone loss were eligible for this study. Patients were requested to complete a questionnaire describing their oral hygiene habits. The duration and frequency of tooth brushing were recorded by subjects in order to assess their compliance. Clinical parameters, including the modified plaque index (mPI), the modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), and clinical photographs (buccal and lingual views) were recorded at baseline and at one-month and two-month follow-up visits. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between patients who used manual toothbrushes and those who used powered toothbrushes were found regarding the frequency of tooth brushing per day and the duration of brushing at one-month and two-month follow-up visits, while no statistically significant differences were found relating to other oral hygiene habits. A statistically significant difference in patient compliance for tooth brushing was found at one month, while no difference was found at two months. Statistically significant decreases in the mPI and the mSBI were observed in both groups from baseline to the one- and two-month follow-ups. The overall reduction of these parameters was not significantly different between the two groups, except for mPI reduction between baseline and one month of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sonic-powered toothbrushes may be a useful device for plaque control in patients with peri-implant mucositis.
Compliance ; Dental Implants ; Dental Plaque ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mucositis* ; Oral Hygiene ; Patient Compliance ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tooth

BMP can induce ectopic bone formation when implanted into sites such as rat muscle and can greatly enhance healing of bony defects when applied exogenously. In addition, BMP stimulated osteoblastic differentiation in vitro in various types of cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein(rhBMP-2) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts. The cell number and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured in 3 experimental groups of human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts(control group, rhBMP-2 50ng/ml group, and rhBMP-2 100ng/ml group) at 1 and 2 weeks after culture. At the same time, total RNA of cultured cells were extracted and reverse trascription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to determine the expression of mRNA of bone matrix protein. RhBMP-2 had no effect on the cell proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts. Alkaline phosphatase activity was elevated significantly by rhBMP-2 in both cells. And periodontal ligament cells showed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity than gingival fibroblasts. beta-actin, type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, BMP-2 mRNA were expressed in all of the samples. Osteopontin, osteocalcin mRNA were expressed in all periodontal ligament cell groups, and rhBMP-2 50ng/ml group, rhBMP-2 100ng/ml group of 2 week culture period of gingival fibroblasts. Bone sialoprotein mRNA was only expressed in rhBMP-2 50ng/ml group and rhBMP-2 100ng/ml group of 2-week culture period. These results suggest that rhBMP-2 stimulates osteoblastic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts in vitro.
Actins ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Matrix ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteopontin ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Rats ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to radiographically and clinically compare the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) membranes on dimensional alterations following a ridge preservation procedure. METHODS: One of 2 different ECM membranes was applied during a ridge preservation procedure. A widely used ECM membrane (WEM; Bio-Gide, Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhusen, Switzerland) was applied in the treatment group and a newly developed ECM membrane (NEM; Lyso-Gide, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, Korea) was applied in the control group. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and alginate impressions were obtained 1 week and 6 months after the ridge preservation procedure. Results were analyzed using the independent t-test and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the ECM membranes in the changes in the dimension, width, and height of the extraction socket or the quantity of bone tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The NEM showed comparable clinical and radiographic results to the WEM following the ridge preservation procedure.
Alveolar Bone Grafting ; Alveolar Process* ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Regeneration ; Clinical Study* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Extracellular Matrix ; Gyeonggi-do ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Membranes* ; Tooth Socket

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of regenerative therapy with a collagenated bone graft and resorbable membrane in intrabony defects, and to evaluate the effects of the novel extracellular matrix (ECM)-based membrane clinically and radiologically. METHODS: Periodontal tissue regeneration procedure was performed using an ECM-based resorbable membrane in combination with a collagenated bovine bone graft in intrabony defects around the teeth and implants. A novel extracellular matrix membrane (NEM) and a widely-used membrane (WEM) were randomly applied to the test group and the control group, respectively. Cone-beam computed tomography images were obtained on the day of surgery and 6 months after the procedure. Alginate impressions were taken and plaster models were made 1 week and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The quantity of bone tissue, the dimensional changes of the surgically treated intrabony defects, and the changes in width and height below the grafted bone substitutes showed no significant difference between the test and control groups at the 6-month examination. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NEM for periodontal regeneration with a collagenated bovine bone graft showed similar clinical and radiologic results to those obtained using WEM.
Bone and Bones ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Clinical Study* ; Collagen* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Extracellular Matrix ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Membranes* ; Regeneration* ; Tooth ; Transplants*

Perinatal transmission and infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in early childhood were observed in the offsprings of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers who had been vaccinated against HBV immediately after giving birth. This prophylaxis failure of perinatal HBV infection is likely due to the interplay of the virus and host immune response. To investigate whether the HLA polymorphism affected the outcome of the perinatal prophylaxis, HLA class I (HLA-A, B and Cw) and class II (HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1) were typed using serology, PCR-SSOP (polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe), and PCR-ARMS (amplification refractory modification system) methods in 22 HBeAg-positive mothers and their 10 prophylaxis-succeeded and 12 prophylaxis- failed children. The HLA types of the mothers and their children were compared with 198 HBsAg-negative healthy controls in a Korean population. HLA-B35 (relative risk=4.2, p<0.01), B51 (relative risk=3.2, p<0.02), DRB1*07 (relative risk=3.8, p<0.03), and DQA1*02 (relative risk=3.8, p<0.03) alleles were more frequent in HBeAg-positive mothers than in the controls. Also, HLA-DRB1*13 (relative risk=0.1, p<0.02) and DPB1*0401 (relative risk=0.1, p<0.02) alleles were less frequent in HBeAg-positive mothers. However, HLA alleles did not affect the outcome of the perinatal prophylaxis against HBV. These results suggest that the reported influences of some HLA alleles on the natural chronic HBV infections may not operate in the HBV infections in children received perinatal prophylaxis.
Alleles* ; Child ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; HLA-B35 Antigen ; Humans ; Mothers ; Parturition