OBJECTIVE: Immunofluorescence microscopy including confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy were used to study the production of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin in the cumulus-corona (CC) cells surrounding mature, unfertilized oocytes after ovulation in view of their presumptive importance in the coordination of the processes leading to fertilization and early embryo cleavage, including the final maturation of the ovum, the sperm-egg interaction, and the complex biochemical mechanism between the ovum and the oviduct. METHODS: Mature oocyte-cumulus complex (OCC) was cultured for 24 and 48 hour and fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde. Specimens were incubated with a mixture of primary monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin, and then with a mixture of secondary antibodies containing FITC, TRITC, and Cy-5 conjugated antibodies. Observation was made by confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with epifluorescece optics. Transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the OCC at 24 and 48 hours after cultrue. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical date demonstrated that CC masses are capable of producing fibronectin and tenascin but their production is heterogeneous in the CC population. Immunoreactivity to fibronectin and tenascin was shown mostly by inner corona cells, and the intensity of immunofluorescence decreased from the central corona cells to the peripheral cumulus cells. Colocalization of fibronectin and tenascin was evident in most CC cells. Moreover, fibronectin and tenascin immunoreactive material was observed in the intracytoplasmic areas, at the plasma membrane level as well as in the extracellular matrix. Whereas, laminin immunofluorescence was found around plasma membrane and extracellular area, but a intracytoplasmic reaction was rarely observed. The distribution of laminin immunofluorescence was similar to that of fibronectin and tenascin, but in some cumulus cells, colocalization between them was not found. Ultrastructurally, cumulus cells projected numerous long, thin microvilli into the intercellular area and some micovilli penetrated into zona pellucida. The inner layer of the cumulus mass was loose arrangement of relatively uniform, small cells with widened intercellular spaces, whereas in the outer layer, cumulus cells are rather larger in size and compact arrangement by narrow, irregular spaces. A small and large linear gap junctions were easily found at cell contacts. The cytoplasm of most cells had abundant organelles typical of steroidogenesis: numerous mitochondrias, a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, electron dense lipid droplets, and bundles of microtubules and microfilaments. Rudimentary disrupted basal lamina along the cytoplasmic border was rarely seen in a few inner conora cells. CONCLUSION: Even though the functional role of these extracellular matrix proteins remains still unclear, it is reasonable to suggest that they are necessary in various steps of the reproductive process. Cumulus cells appears to be a heterogeneous and dynamic system for suitable microenviroment of fertilization. And functional differences between corona and cumulus cells during the oocyte denudation may be accounted for particular distribution of these adhesive proteins and steroidogenesis-related organelles.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Adhesives ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Basement Membrane ; Cell Membrane ; Cumulus Cells ; Cytoplasm ; Embryonic Structures ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Epitopes ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fibronectins* ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Formaldehyde ; Gap Junctions ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubules ; Microvilli ; Mitochondria ; Oocytes ; Organelles ; Oviducts ; Ovulation ; Ovum ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Tenascin* ; Zona Pellucida

No abstract available.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli* ; Enterotoxins*

OBJECTIVES: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) has received little attention in epidemiologic studies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of probable REM sleep behavior disorder (pRBD) in the elderly population and its clinical features. METHODS: A random sample of 1,588 was selected from a roster of 14,050 elderly population living in Osan city. The subjects were asked to fill out the REM sleep behavior disorder screening questionnaire (RBDSQ). Subjects whose score were 5 or higher on RBDSQ underwent a diagnostic phase of person-to-person assessment by experts in RBD. RESULTS: Among 1,588 subjects, 886 elderly subjects participated in the screening phase and 123 subjects were assessed in the diagnostic phase. Eleven subjects were diagnosed as having pRBD, so prevalence was 1.5% (95% CI=0.70-2.30%). The frequency of depression and cognitive decline was significantly increased in patients with pRBD compared to subjects without pRBD, and there was no difference in sleep disturbances between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Probable REM sleep behavior disorder is not rare in the elderly but frequently under-recognized. More attention should be paid to evaluation and treatment of RBD.
Aged ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder ; Sleep, REM

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazia in pediatric patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 58 patients (70 lesions) under fifteen years of age and 40 patients (50 lesions) aged fifteen and over, who underwent intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections and performed follow-ups for at least three months between January 2007 and October 2008. Data regarding age, sex, lesion size, location, number of injections, treatment success, surgery, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Cumulative treatment success of TA was 64.3% with the first injection, 82.9% with a second injection, and 88.6% with a third injection in patients under fifteen years of age. The average number of TA injections was 1.67+/-1.03 in primary chalazia and 1.48+/-0.87 in recurrent chalazia, while the cumulative treatment success until third TA injection was 89.8% in primary chalazia and 85.7% in recurrent chalazia inpatients under fifteen years old. The average number of TA injections was 1.95+/-1.18 in primary chalazia and 1.80+/-1.14 in recurrent chalazia, while the cumulative treatment success until the third TA injection was 82.5% in primary chalazia and 70.0% in recurrent chalazia in patients aged fifteen and over. No complications were noted with TA injections. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection in chalazia is an effective and safe treatment in pediatric patients.
Aged ; Chalazion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Inpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Triamcinolone Acetonide

Authors report a case of separation anxiety disorder, which developed as a side effect during haloperidol treatment of Tourette syndromes(TS). In this case, 14 years old boys developed attention deficit symptoms during his infancy. At 4th grade of primary school, he developed vocal tic, motor tic, and coprolalia. With 5mg/day of haloperidol treatment his symptoms of TS were subsided. During the treatment, he developed features of separation anxiety disorder, including dependence, pleading, clinging, and sadness. Symptoms of attention deficit and separation anxiety disorder were improved by 25mg/day of imipramine treatment. During haloperidol treatment of TS, careful observation may be needed whether separation anxiety disorder-like symptom develops.
Adolescent ; Anxiety, Separation ; Haloperidol* ; Humans ; Imipramine ; Tics ; Tourette Syndrome*

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite for patients who complained dental hypersensitivity. Before baseline of application of toothpaste with hydroxyapatite, tooth brushing instruction was done respectively and the several indices were measured at baseline, 2, 4, 8 weeks. Clinical indices were estimated, and responses to cold, compressive air, tactile stimulus were evaluated with verbal rating score. Relief effects and visual analogue scale were also evaluated. The results of this study were as follows 1. The occurrence rate of hypersensitivity in upper jaw was higher than that of lower jaws, and molar area showed more hypersensitivity than premolar and incisor area. Buccal site was hypersensitive followed by interproximal and lingual site. 2. Plaque index, gingival index and probing depth reduction were gradually improved after Tooth Brushing Instruction and using toothpaste. 3. Subjects showed most sensitive response to cold stimuli than compressive air and tactile stimuli. 4. The relief effect was increased during using tooth paste and complete relief was increased especially at 8 weeks. 5. Visual analogue scale was increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that toothpaste containing microcrystalline hydroxyapatite have the relief effect of tooth hypersensitivity. During 8 weeks, stimulus responses were decreased and hypersensitivity relief effect was increased.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite for patients who complained dental hypersensitivity. Before baseline of application of toothpaste with hydroxyapatite, tooth brushing instruction was done respectively and the several indices were measured at baseline, 2, 4, 8 weeks. Clinical indices were estimated, and responses to cold, compressive air, tactile stimulus were evaluated with verbal rating score. Relief effects and visual analogue scale were also evaluated. The results of this study were as follows 1. The occurrence rate of hypersensitivity in upper jaw was higher than that of lower jaws, and molar area showed more hypersensitivity than premolar and incisor area. Buccal site was hypersensitive followed by interproximal and lingual site. 2. Plaque index, gingival index and probing depth reduction were gradually improved after Tooth Brushing Instruction and using toothpaste. 3. Subjects showed most sensitive response to cold stimuli than compressive air and tactile stimuli. 4. The relief effect was increased during using tooth paste and complete relief was increased especially at 8 weeks. 5. Visual analogue scale was increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that toothpaste containing microcrystalline hydroxyapatite have the relief effect of tooth hypersensitivity. During 8 weeks, stimulus responses were decreased and hypersensitivity relief effect was increased.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate exophytically vertical bone formation in the mandibular premolar area of beagle dogs by the concept of guided bone regeneration with a titanium reinforced e-PTFE membrane combined with human demineralized freeze-dried bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four one-year old beagle dogs were divided into control and experimental group. All mandibular premolars were extracted and surgical vertical defects of 5 mm in height were created in the extracted sockets. At 8 weeks after the extraction, TR e-PTFE membrane sized with 8 mm in length, 5 mm in width, and 4 mm in height was placed on the decorticated mandible, fixed with metal pins and covered with full-thickness flap and assigned as control group. In experimental group, decorticated mandibule was treated with TR e-PTFE membrane and human demineralized freeze-dried bone. The animals were sacrificed at 16 weeks after the regenerative surgery, and new bone formation was assessed by histomorphometric as well as statistical analysis. RESULTS: Average of new bone formation was 38% in the control group, whereas was 25% in the experimental group (p<0.05). Average of connective tissue formation was 42% in the experimental group, whereas was 30% in the control group (p<0.05). The lamellar bone formation with haversian canals was observed in the both groups. In the experimental group, the particles of human demineralized freeze-dried bone were observed after 16 weeks and complete resorption of graft was not observed. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these findings, we conclude that titanium reinforced e-PTFE membrane may be used alone for vertical guided bone regeneration, but demineralized freeze-dried bone has no additional effect on vertical guided bone regeneration.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Bone Regeneration ; Connective Tissue ; Dogs ; Haversian System ; Humans ; Mandible ; Membranes ; Osteogenesis ; Titanium ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Transplants

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of tetracycline-HCl on the change of implant surface microstructure according to application time. Implant with pure titanium machined surface, HA-coated surface and dual acid etched surface were utilized. Implant surface was rubbed with 50mg/ml tetracycline-HCL solution for 1/2min., 1min., 1 1/2min., 2min., and 2 1/2min. respectively in the test group. Then, specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopic observation. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Both test and control group showed a few shallow grooves and ridges in pure titanium machined surface implants. There were not significant differences between two groups. 2. In HA-coated surfaces, round particles were deposited irregularly. The roughness of surfaces conditioned with tetracycline-HCL was lessened and the cracks were increased relative to the application time. 3. The etched surfaces showed the honey comb structures. The surface conditioning with tetracycline-HCl didn't influence on its micro-morphology. In conclusion, the detoxification with 50mg/ml tetracycline-HCl must be applied respectively with different time according to various implant surfaces.
Animals ; Comb and Wattles ; Honey ; Titanium

BACKGROUND: The zoonotic disease Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii and usually affects high-risk human populations. We conducted a serological survey of dairy cattle farmers in Korea to determine seroreactivity and identify risk factors for C. burnetii infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,824 of 7,219 dairy cattle farms (25.3%) in the study region. The selected dairy cattle farmers visited the nearest public health centers or branches with completed questionnaires. Serum samples from the farmers were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect phase II C. burnetii immunoglobulin (Ig) G or M antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 1,222 dairy cattle farmers from 784 dairy cattle farms (43.0%) participated in this study, and 11.0% (134/1,222) exhibited seroreactivity, defined as a phase II antigen IgG or IgM titer ≥ 1:16. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, residence in Gyeonggi Province, a larger herd size, and ocular/oral contact with birth products during calf delivery were significantly associated with a higher risk of C. burnetii infection. Furthermore, the risk was significantly lower among farmers who always wore protective gloves while cleaning cattle excretion, compared to those who sometimes or rarely wore protective gloves. CONCLUSION: Dairy cattle farmers should exercise caution by avoiding ocular/oral contact with birth products during calf delivery and by using protective equipment (including gloves).
Agriculture ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; Coxiella burnetii* ; Coxiella* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Farmers* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gloves, Protective ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea* ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parturition ; Public Health ; Q Fever* ; Risk Factors* ; Serologic Tests ; Zoonoses