Interleukin-6(IL-6) stimulate osteoclast differentiation. 17beta-estradiol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25-(OH)2D3) and interleukin-1beta inhibit or stimulate osteoclast differentiation by decreasing or increasing the synthesis of interleukin-6(IL-6) from stromal/osteoblastic cells, respectively. Periodontal ligament(PDL) cells reside between the alveolar bone and the cementum and have osteoblastic characteristics. To estimate the effect of 17beta-estradiol and 1,25(OH)2D3 on IL-6 production of PDL cells, PDL cells were treated with 17beta-estradiol or 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the absence or the presence of IL-1beta. The concentration of IL-6 produced form PDL cells was determined by enzym linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In unstimulated PDL cells, we detected constitutive production of IL-6 at 1st and 2nd day. IL-1beta increased IL-6 synthesis at 1st day and 2nd day. 17beta-estradiol had no significant effect on the secretion of this cytokine, either constitutively or after stimulation with IL-1beta(0.05 ng/ml). 1,25-(OH)2D3(10(-8)M) decreased not only constitutive IL-6 production but also IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production at 2nd day. These results suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 may control IL-1beta-induced osteoclast differentiation by decreasing IL-1beta-induced IL-6 secretion of PDL cells.
Calcitriol* ; Dental Cementum ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament*

PURPOSE: To report a case of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in a patient on hemodialysis. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female undergoing intravenous hemodialysis developed sudden blurred vision for 2 days. Chronic hypotension and anemia may have been persisted for approximately 6 months before the onset of symptoms. Her corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 0.7 and visual field test showed superior arcuate defect in the left eye. Fundus photography showed inferonasal optic disc swelling and fluorescein angiography revealed hyperfluorescence of the disc in the late phase which was probably attributable to NAION. After 3 weeks, corrected visual acuity was 0.7 in the left eye and fundoscopic finding of the left eye was improved. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis can cause a hypotensive event and anemia which may be associated with NAION. Avoiding acute hypotension and anemia should be advised to prevent development of NAION in dialysis patients.
Anemia ; Dialysis ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Middle Aged ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic* ; Photography ; Renal Dialysis* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Field Tests

Alveolar bone destruction is a characteristic of periodontal disease. Treponema denticola are found in significantly increased numbers in the sites affected with periodontal disease. In order to clarify the role of T. denticola in destruction of alveolar bone in periodontal disease, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of sonicated extract of T. denticola on osteoclast differentiation in co-culture system of mouse bone marrow cells and calvaria cells. The ability of osteoclast formation was estimated by counting the number of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) positive cells. Sonicated extract of this bacteria stimulated osteoclast formation in a dose dependent manner(p<0.05). Indomathacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, decreased osteoclast formation induced by sonicated extract of this bacteria(p<0.05). Extract-induced osteoclast formation was decreased, when sonicated extract of bacteria was heated(p<0.05). These findings suggest that T. denticola induces osteoclast differentiation, and protein component of this bacteria and PGE2 may play an important role in this process.
Mice ; Animals

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine if basal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels could be useful for screening central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. METHODS: A total of 90 girls under the age of 8 years were included in this study. They underwent the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test at Good Gang-An Hospital from March 2008 to December 2012 for evaluation of premature sexual development. Patients were classified into two groups: the pubertal response group of patients who had 5 IU/L peak LH levels in the GnRH stimulation test, and the prepubertal response group of patients who had LH levels <5 IU/L. Chronological and bone ages, height, weight, body mass index, gonadotropin response to GnRH stimulation, and basal levels of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol were studied in both groups. The relationship between basal LH and peak-stimulated LH was evaluated using Spearman's correlation. To determine the optimal cut-off values of basal LH levels for differentiating between two groups, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed. RESULTS: When the correlation between basal LH levels and peak LH after GnRH stimulation was analyzed in all subjects (N=90), basal LH levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with peak stimulated LH levels (rs=0.493, p<0.001). The cut-off level of optimal basal LH was 0.1 IU/L, according to the ROC curves. Its sensitivity was 73.3%, and its specificity was 77.8%. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that serum basal LH levels are useful for screening CPP in girls.
Body Weight ; Estradiol ; Female* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone* ; Mass Screening* ; Puberty, Precocious* ; ROC Curve ; Sexual Development

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine if basal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels could be useful for screening central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. METHODS: A total of 90 girls under the age of 8 years were included in this study. They underwent the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test at Good Gang-An Hospital from March 2008 to December 2012 for evaluation of premature sexual development. Patients were classified into two groups: the pubertal response group of patients who had 5 IU/L peak LH levels in the GnRH stimulation test, and the prepubertal response group of patients who had LH levels <5 IU/L. Chronological and bone ages, height, weight, body mass index, gonadotropin response to GnRH stimulation, and basal levels of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol were studied in both groups. The relationship between basal LH and peak-stimulated LH was evaluated using Spearman's correlation. To determine the optimal cut-off values of basal LH levels for differentiating between two groups, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed. RESULTS: When the correlation between basal LH levels and peak LH after GnRH stimulation was analyzed in all subjects (N=90), basal LH levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with peak stimulated LH levels (rs=0.493, p<0.001). The cut-off level of optimal basal LH was 0.1 IU/L, according to the ROC curves. Its sensitivity was 73.3%, and its specificity was 77.8%. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that serum basal LH levels are useful for screening CPP in girls.
Body Weight ; Estradiol ; Female* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone* ; Mass Screening* ; Puberty, Precocious* ; ROC Curve ; Sexual Development

PURPOSE: Acupuncture has recently been accepted as a treatment option for managing postoperative ileus (POI) and various functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on POI and other surgical outcomes in patients who underwent gastric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer from March to December 2015 were randomly assigned to acupuncture or non-acupuncture (NA) groups at 1:1 ratio. The acupuncture treatment was administered treatment once daily for 5 consecutive days starting at postoperative day 1. The primary outcome measure was the number of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on abdominal radiograph. The secondary outcome measure was the surgical outcome, including the times to first flatus, first defecation, start of water intake, and start of soft diet, as well as length of hospital stay and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The acupuncture group had significantly fewer remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on postoperative days 3 and 5 compared to those in the NA group. A significant difference was observed in the numbers of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine with respect to group differences by time (P<0.0001). The acupuncture group showed relatively better surgical outcomes than those in the NA group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical trial, acupuncture promoted the passage of sitz markers, which may reflect the possibility of reducing POI after distal gastrectomy.
Acupuncture* ; Defecation ; Diet ; Drinking ; Flatulence ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Ileus* ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Length of Stay ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms*

A C2-3 zygapophygeal joint is a major source of cervicogenic headache. Radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy is preformed widely for zygapophygeal joint pain. Conventional RF denervation technique is generally performed under fluoroscopic control. Recently, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency on zygapophygeal joint has emerged as an alternative method. We report our experiences of two successful ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequencies on 39-year-old and 42-year-old males, who complained occipital headache and posterior neck pain.
Arthralgia ; Denervation ; Headache ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Neck Pain ; Post-Traumatic Headache

PURPOSE: Many different scoring systems have been proposed for assessing the severity of atopic dermatitis. The SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) is one of the best validated systems, but is too complicated and time-consuming for routine clinical use. The aim of this study is to evaluate the Three Item Severity (TIS) score in routine clinical practice and to investigate the correlation with SCORAD and quality of life. METHODS: The study was done on 69 cases of atopic dermatitis randomly selected by SCORAD severity in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital pediatric allergy clinic from March 2003 to August 2003. Patients were from three months old to 15 years old. A trained pediatrician assessed the TIS score and simultaneous 10 item questionnaire about quality of life (QOL) was checked. RESULTS: According to the SCORAD, there were 21 (30.4%) mild cases, 26 (37.7%) moderate cases and 22 (31.9%) severe cases out of total 69 patients. According to the TIS score, 21 (30.4%) cases were 0-2 point, 16 (23.2%) were 3 point, 11 (16.0%) were 4-5 point and include 21 (30.3%) were 6-9 point. In QOL score, 21-30 points were most common (36.2%). There was significant positive correlation between TIS score and SCORAD (Spearman's rs= 0.86, P< 0.01). There was significant positive correlation between TIS score and QOL (Spearman's rs=0.89, P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The TIS score is a reliable and simple scoring system for atopic dermatitis. It is particularly suitable in general practice, for routine clinical use.
Adolescent ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; General Practice ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity may be due to an energy imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Recently, consumption of beverages in children has increased. The aim of this study is to provide useful information for the prevention and the control of childhood obesity by assessment of variable beverage consumption. METHODS: Fight hundred seventy seven children(M : F=1 : 1.02, mean age; 9.7 years) from two primary schools in Seoul in May 2003 were enrolled. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated and the degree of obesity was classified into normal, overweight and obese groups by BMI percentile. Parental BMI, socio-economic factor, 3-day dietary intake, calory intake and beverage intake were examined by questionnaires. We researched beverages and classified them into six categories, milk, other milk products, soda, sports beverage, other beverage. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 7.2%. The parental BMI of the obese group were higher than those of the other groups. There was no significant difference in birth weight, or parents' intellectual and economic levels between the obese group and the other groups. There was no significant difference in daily total calory intake between the obese group and the other groups. The obese group of 7-9 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in sodas, and sports beverages intake. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in total beverage intake and other beverage intakes. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-females was higher than the other groups in other milk products. CONCLUSION: Excessive intake of beverages is associated with childhood obesity. Efforts to decrease intake of beverages may be important approaches to counter the rise in the prevalence of obesity.
Beverages* ; Birth Weight ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Eating ; Energy Metabolism ; Fast Foods ; Humans ; Milk ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Parents ; Pediatric Obesity* ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul ; Sports

PURPOSE: A telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation was identified in thyroid cancer. This TERT promoter mutation is thought to be a prognostic molecular marker, because its association with tumor aggressiveness, persistence/recurrence, and disease-specific mortality in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been reported. In this study, we attempted to determine whether the impact of the TERT promoter mutation on PTC persistence/recurrence is independent of clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using propensity score matching, 39 patients with PTC persistence or recurrence were matched with 35 patients without persistence or recurrence, with a similar age, sex, tumor size, multifocality, bilaterality, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis. The TERT promoter and the BRAF V600E mutations were identified from PTC samples. RESULTS: The TERT promoter mutation was detected in 18% of PTC patients (13/74). No significant difference in the frequency of the TERT promoter mutation was observed between the persistence/recurrence group and the non-recurrence group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the prognostic implications of the TERT promoter mutation are dependent on clinicopathological parameters.
Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Propensity Score ; Recurrence ; Telomerase ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*