OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the three dimensional changes of tooth movement using four different types of maxillary molar distalization appliances; pendulum appliance (PD), mini-implant supported pendulum appliance (MPD), stainless steel open coil spring (SP) and mini-implant supported stainless steel open coil spring (MSP). METHODS: These experiments were performed using the Calorific machine? which can simulate dynamic tooth movement. Computed tomography (CT) images of the experimental model were taken before and after tooth movement in 1 mm thicknesses and reconstructed into a three dimensional model using V-works 4.0TM. These reconstructed images were superimposed using Rapidform 2004TM and the direction and amount of tooth movement were measured. RESULTS: The mean reciprocal anchor loss ratio at the first premolar was 17 - 19% for the PD and SP groups. The appliances using mini-implants (MPD or MSP) resulted in less anchorage loss (7 - 8%). On application of a pendulum appliance or MPD, distalization was obtained by tipping rather than by bodily movement. Furthermore, the maxillary second molar tipped distally and bucally. But on application of MSP, distalization was achieved almost by bodily movement. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding tooth movement patterns during molar distalization, stainless steel open coil spring with indirect skeletal anchorage was relatively superior to other methods.
Bicuspid ; Models, Theoretical ; Molar ; Stainless Steel ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) plays an important role in redox metabolism and antioxidant defense. Under normal conditions, NRF2 proteins are maintained at very low levels because of their ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation via binding to the kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (KEAP1)-E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. However, oxidative and/or electrophilic stresses disrupt the KEAP1-NRF2 interaction, which leads to the accumulation and transactivation of NRF2. During recent decades, a growing body of evidence suggests that NRF2 is frequently activated in many types of cancer by multiple mechanisms, including the genetic mutations in the KEAP1-NRF2 pathway. This suggested that NRF2 inhibition is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Recently, several NRF2 inhibitors have been reported with anti-tumor efficacy. Here, we review the mechanisms whereby NRF2 is dysregulated in cancer and its contribution to the tumor development and radiochemoresistance. In addition, among the NRF2 inhibitors reported so far, we summarize and discuss repurposed NRF2 inhibitors with their potential mechanisms and provide new insights to develop selective NRF2 inhibitors.
Metabolism ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Transcriptional Activation ; Ubiquitin ; Ubiquitination

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in three dimensional tooth movement using three different wire sizes (0.018 x 0.025-in, 0.016 x 0.022-in, 0.016-in) on a NiTi scissors-bite corrector. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images of the experimental model before and after tooth movement were taken and reconstructed into three dimensional models for superimposition. The direction and the amount of tooth movement were measured and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The lingual and intrusive movements of the crown of the maxillary second molar were increased as the size of the NiTi wire increased. The roots of the maxillary second molars moved buccally except for the 0.016-in group. The intrusive movement of the roots of the maxillary second molars was increased as the size of the NiTi wire increased. Due to the use of orthodontic mini-implants, anchorage loss was under 0.2 mm on average. CONCLUSIONS: The 0.018 x 0.025-in NiTi wire was most effective in lingual and intrusive movement of the maxillary second molar which was in scissors-bite position. Indirect skeletal anchorage with a single orthodontic mini-implant was rigid enough to prevent anchorage loss.
Crowns ; Models, Theoretical ; Molar ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

PURPOSE: To evaluated the effect of the intra-individual variation in the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level in men without prostate cancer to decide on the requirement of a prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients, aged between 50 and 80 years, were screened for prostate cancer or lower urinary tract symptoms at least 2 times within 3 months using PSA or free PSA measurements. Patients with an initial PSA level between 2.0 and 10.0ng/ml were included. Those with prostate cancer, urinary tract infection or 5-alpha reductase inhibitor medication were excluded. The coefficient of variation (CV) was evaluated in each PSA range. RESULTS: The analysis included 139 patients, with a mean age 62.1 years. The level of free PSA was measured in 56 patients. The mean interval between the two PSA measurements was 36.6 days. The mean CVs for the total PSA and % free PSA were 21.5 and 22.2%, respectively. 20% of patients show a CV of more than 30%, implying a large variation. In our study, the 95% confidence interval of initial PSA levels between 3.0 and 4.9ng/ml included the PSA cut-off point (4.0ng/ml) in the visit results. CONCLUSIONS: The variation the PSA level was relatively small, but some patients showed a CV greater than 30%. Therefore, the intra-individual PSA variation should become part of interpreting the PSA test results, especially for men with a PSA value near the cut-off point.
Antigenic Variation ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Oxidoreductases ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Urinary Tract Infections

A case of gastric anisakiasis due to the larva of Pseudoterranova decipiences was con- firmed by a gastroendoscopic examination. A long whitish nematode larva invading the stomach wall (fundus) was discovered and was extracted using biopsy forceps after 3 days to the onset of symptoms. The worm was 42.6 X 1.1 mm size, and was identified as being a the 4th stage larva of P. decipiens, based upon its morphological characteristics, The patient, residing in Seoul, was a 51-year-old housewife, who complained of severe epi- gastric pain and recalled that she had previously eaten the raw flesh of an Astroconger myriaster in a Japanese restaurant (sushi Bar). This study probably emerges as the 7th human case of gastric anisakiasis of pseudoterranoviasis in Korea.
Anisakiasis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biopsy ; Humans* ; Korea ; Larva* ; Middle Aged ; Restaurants ; Seoul ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments

OBJECTIVE: Differentiation of demyelination in white matter from axonal damage can be determined using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In this study using meningioma patients an attempt was made to evaluate the relationship between preoperative weakness and the changes of diffusion parameters in the corticospinal tract (CST) using DTI. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with meningioma were enrolled in this study. Eleven of them suffered from objective motor weakness and were classified as Group 1. The remaining 15 patients did not present motor weakness and were classified as Group 2. Fiber tractography and CST diffusion parameters were obtained using DTIStudio. The ratios (lesion side mean value/contralateral side mean value) of CST diffusion parameters were compared with 1.0 as a test value using a one-sample t-test. RESULTS: In Group 1, fractional anisotropy (FA), tensor trace (TT), and radial diffusivity (RD, lambda2 and lambda3) of the CST were significantly different between two hemispheres, but axial diffusivity (AD, lambda1) of the CST was not significantly different between two hemispheres. In Group 2, FA and lambda3 of CST did not differ significantly between the hemispheres. In Group 2, TT, lambda1, and lambda2 of CST in the ipsilateral hemisphere were significantly higher than those of the unaffected hemisphere. However, the differences were small. CONCLUSION: Motor weakness was related to a low FA and high TT resulting from increased RD of the CST fibers. CST diffusion changes in patients with weakness are similar to those for demyelination.
Anisotropy ; Axons ; Demyelinating Diseases* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging* ; Diffusion* ; Humans ; Meningioma* ; Pyramidal Tracts*

Regulation of osteoblast and osteocyte viability is essential for bone homeostasis. Smad4, a major transducer of bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways, regulates apoptosis in various cell types through a mitochondrial pathway. However, it remains poorly understood whether Smad4 is necessary for the regulation of osteoblast and osteocyte viability. In this study, we analyzed Smad4Δ(Os) mice, in which Smad4 was subjected to tissue-specific disruption under the control of the 2.3-kb Col1a1 promoter, to understand the functional significance of Smad4 in regulating osteoblast/osteocyte viability during bone formation and remodeling. Smad4Δ(Os) mice showed a significant increase in osteoblast number and osteocyte density in the trabecular and cortical regions of the femur, whereas osteoclast activity was significantly decreased. The proliferation of osteoblasts/osteocytes did not alter, as shown by measuring 5′-bromo-2′deoxyuridine incorporation. By contrast, the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells decreased, together with a decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and in the proteolytic cleavage of caspase 3, in Smad4Δ(Os) mice. Apoptosis in isolated calvaria cells from Smad4Δ(Os) mice decreased after differentiation, which was consistent with the results of the TUNEL assay and western blotting in Smad4Δ(Os) mice. Conversely, osteoblast cells overexpressing Smad4 showed increased apoptosis. In an apoptosis induction model of Smad4Δ(Os) mice, osteoblasts/osteocytes were more resistant to apoptosis than were control cells, and, consequently, bone remodeling was attenuated. These findings indicate that Smad4 has a significant role in regulating osteoblast/osteocyte viability and therefore controls bone homeostasis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Bone Remodeling ; Caspase 3 ; Femur ; Homeostasis* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteocytes ; Osteogenesis ; Skull ; Transducers

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to observe whether there are differences in detecting ability of pre-pulse gaps between tinnitus patients and normal subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten tinnitus patients and eight normal subjects were recruited. Fifty stimuli composed of a background noise and a pulse noise were presented to the subjects. For certain stimuli, a short gap preceding the pulse noise was inserted but for others, no gaps were inserted. The two groups were subjected to a gap lasting 300 and 200 msec. The subjects were then asked if they detected the gap during the stimulus and the number of correct answers were counted. RESULTS: In the tinnitus patient group, the number of correct answers for gap-stimuli detection was significantly smaller when the gap was shortened to 200 msec. In the control group, however, there was only a slight difference in the score. When the length of the gap was shortened to 200 msec, the score significantly decreased in 50% of the tinnitus patients whereas the score increased in only 12% of the control group. CONCLUSION: The ability to detect pre-pulse gaps is affected by tinnitus in humans just as in the animal models.
Humans ; Models, Animal ; Noise ; Psychoacoustics ; Tinnitus

We describe the occurrence of acute type A aortic dissection in a patient with situs inversus totalis. A 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Initial chest X-ray findings showed a right-sided heart and a left-sided liver. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a Stanford type A acute aortic dissection, aortic root dilatation, and situs inversus totalis. All of the thoracic structures were mirror-image reversed and an abnormal coronary artery was observed. The Bentall operation was performed. This report demonstrates that computed tomography and echocardiography were useful for understanding the anatomy and the presence or absence of concurrent anomalies in a patient with situs inversus totalis. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful.