Neomorphogenesis of cartilage using chondrocyte-polymer constructs is a potential source for development of cartilage reconstruction. Current tissue engineering techniques of neocartilage rely on in vivo implantation of polymer-chondrocyte constructs. The purpose of this study was to find a way to bioengineer cartilage in vitro by entrapping chondrocytes in a molded autologous fibrin glue. Chondrocytes isolated from the cartilage of rabbit joints were combined with fibrinogen extracted by a single cryoprecipitation of autologous plasma, and they were then polymerized with thrombin to create a fibrin glue with a final cell density of 2.5x10(6) cells/ml. The collagen for a control study was used as a polymer. The polymer-chondrocyte constructs were cultured for 4 weeks and the fibrin-chondrocyte constructs molded in the shape of a human ear were cultured for 6 weeks in vitro. Morphometric, histochemical, and histomorphometric analysis including glycosaminoglycan quantitation confirmed the following results: 1) Highly-concentrated autologous fibrinogen was easily extracted by a single cryoprecipition of autologous olasma. 2) The fibrin-chondrocyte constructs demonstrated the presence of actively proliferating chondrocytes with the production of cartilaginous matrix(collagen and glycosaminoglycan) at 1 week after culture, as well as gross and histologic evidence similar to those of normal cartilage at 3-4 weeks after culture. 3) The collagen-chondrocyte constructs demonstrated lower degrees of hardness and transparency, as well as a lower density of cells and glycosaminoglycan during the culture period. 4) Neocartilage generated from fibrin-chondrocyte constructs in the shape of a human ear nearly retained their original configuration and size without degeneration for 6 weeks of culture in vitro. This study demonstrated a novel method for bioengineering the molded cartilage in vitro using autologous fibrin glue as a matrix scaffold. The generated cartilage showed gross and histologic evidence similar to those of normal cartilage, retaining the original gross dimension. With further refinement, this may be a new application of tissue engineering for the reconstruction of cartilage.
Bioengineering ; Cartilage* ; Cell Count ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen ; Ear ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Fibrinogen ; Fungi ; Hardness ; Humans ; Joints ; Plasma ; Polymers ; Thrombin ; Tissue Engineering*

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis(TNPM) is a benign, self-limited, cutaneous disorder of unknown etiology. Significant physical findings are limited to the skin. Hematologic and serological tests are normal. Cultures of blood and pustule are negative. Biopsy specimens from pustules show a intracorneal or subcorneal separation containing neutrophils and also some eosinophils. TNPM produces only cutaneous lesions and requires no treatment. So it is essential to differentiate TNPM and other neonatal skin lesions. We experienced a case of TNPM in a male newborn with generalized superficial vesicopustules which developed into pigmented macules and report this case with review of related literatures.
Biopsy ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Melanosis* ; Neutrophils ; Serologic Tests ; Skin

PURPOSE: The selectin family of adhesion molecules plays a role in the initiation of endothelium-leukocyte interaction of inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion. P-selectin, a rapidly expressed endothelial cell adhesion molecule, is essential for both neutrophil rolling after endothelial stimulation and neutrophil transmigration. P-selectins were expressed after brain injury and could play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury in adult animal. However, the mechanisms leading to post-hypoxic-ischemic injury in immature brain are unknown yet. We hypothesize that P-selectin might mediate post-hypoxic-ischemic injury in immature rat brain. We evaluated the expression of mRNA and protein of P-selectin in post-hypoxic-ischemic immature rat brain. METHODS: In isoflurane-anesthetized P7(Postnatal day 7) Sprague-Dawley rats(n=81), the right carotid artery was isolated and coagulated. 1-2 h later animals were exposed to 8% oxygen(balanced with nitrogen) for 2 h in glass chambers, in a warm air incubator (temperature maintained at 36.5 degrees C). Control included carotid artery coagulation alone, hypoxia alone, and normal(neither hypoxia nor coagulation). For RNA extraction, the rats were decapitated at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after hypoxic-ischemic injury. For Western blot analyses with P-selectin, rats were decapitated at 0, 15, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after hypoxic-ischemic injury. Control or hypoxia alone rats were sacrificed 8 h after the respective intervention. RESULTS: There was no expression of P-selectin mRNA in control groups(carotid artery coagulation alone, hypoxia alone, or normal). P-selectin mRNA expression in the ipsilateral(right) hemisphere reached a peak at 8 h after hypoxia-ischemia and then barely detected after 24 h. Expression of P-selectin protein was not observed in brain tissue of control rats. P-selectin protein was detected as early as 15 min and 30 min at both hemisphere in experimental rats and decreased at 1 h. P-selectin protein increased in right hemisphere at 4 h post-hypoxia-ischemia, peaked at 8 h and no longer detectable at 24 h. CONCLUSION: Hypoxic-ischemic injury leads to P-selectin expression in neonatal rats brain. The temporal profiles of post-hypoxic-ischemic P-selectin mRNA and protein expression are consistent with a role in the evolution of subsequent brain injury.
Adult ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Arteries ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Injuries* ; Brain* ; Carotid Arteries ; Endothelial Cells ; Glass ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Incubators ; Inflammation ; Neutrophils ; P-Selectin* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger*

We studied the motor innervation and the nerve pathway of glabellar expression muscles and a kind of glabellar skin wrinkles. Electric stimulation and surface tracing of the temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve was performed using an electric nerve stimulator on both sides of 14 healthy volunteers. Micro- dissection of four cadaveric heads were also performed to confirm the results of nerve stimulation test. The corrugator supercilii muscle is innervated by the temporal branch of the facial nerve. The depressor supercilii muscle, the medial head of the orbicularis oculi muscle, and the procerus muscle are innervated by the zygomatic branch. The temporal branch to the corrugator supercilii muscles travels in a curvilinear pattern superior to the upper margin of the eyebrow. The zygomatic branch to the glabellar expression muscles travels in a curvilinear pattern inferior to the inferior orbital rim in the proximal portion and in a cobwebby pattern medial to the medial orbital rim in the distal portion. In cadaveric study, the zygomatic nerve branches off in the inferomedial orbital portion, and its fine branches enter into the procerus muscle, the depressor supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle. The surface pathway of the motor nerve to the glabellar expression muscles is described. We think that the zygomatic and temporal branches both should be blocked simultaneously to improve glabellar skin wrinkles completely.
Cadaver ; Electric Stimulation ; Eyebrows ; Facial Nerve ; Head ; Healthy Volunteers ; Muscles* ; Orbit ; Skin

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical characteristics of the 2000-2001 measles outbreak in the Seoul metropolitan area, Korea, the clinical data of measles inpatients were analyzed. METHODS: Three hundred and five children diagnosed with measles by clinical manifestation from July, 2000 to February, 2001, in Seoul, Ilsan and Ansan City were grouped according to their age and investigated for clinical manifestations, vaccination history and measles-specific IgM/IgG antibody positivity. RESULTS: Thirty eight point seven percent of the subjects were less than 12 months of age, 27.5 % were 12-47 months of age and 33.8% were 48 months of age or older. There was no significant sexual difference(male : female=1.2 : 1). This epidemic started in June, 2000 and the number of patients increased abruptly in October, peaked in December and finally decreased after February, 2001. It started from the older age group and moved to the younger. Sixty five point two percent had a history of more than 1-dose vaccination and 13.6% of the patients equal or more than 48 months of age had a history of 2-dose vaccination. Primary vaccine failure rate was 59.4%(107/ 180) and secondary vaccine failure rate was 3.9%(7/180) in 1 dose vaccinees. Sixty one point six percent showed more than one complication and 38.4% had no complication. The most common complication was pneumonia(31.8 %), followed by bronchitis(11.5%) and acute otitis media(4.6%). Vaccination and dose were not related significantly with the occurrence of complications. CONCLUSION: Compared with previous outbreaks in Korea, clinical features showed no specific change in the 2000-2001 measles epidemic. However, primary vaccine failure rate was so high that the second vaccination at four to six years of age must be emphasized in Korea.
Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Measles* ; Otitis ; Seoul* ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the difference of temporal lability in myocardial repolarization between acute non-Q (NQMI) and Q-wave myocardial infarction (QMI), and to discern whether the locations of myocardial infarction influence such temporal lability. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with NQMI and 28 with QMI, including 16 anterior (AMI) and 12 inferior MI (IMI) patients were enrolled. Twenty four-hour ambulatory ECG recordings of each patient were analyzed, and the digitized data was partitioned into 30-min sections. The QT intervals were measured using a template matching strategy. We then calculated the low (LF:0.03 - 0.15 Hz) and high frequency (HF:0.15 - 0.4 Hz) power of the QT interval variability using an algorithm capable of removing the influence of the RR-interval on QT interval variability (Normalized Idioventricular QT variability Index:IV-QT). RESULTS: For patients with QMI, the low frequency IV QT (LF IV-QT) was higher than that of NQMI (1.941+/-0.101 and 1.556+/-0.114 respectively, p<0.05). No difference was seen in the high frequency IV QT (HF IV-QT) of the two groups. For QMI patients, both the LF IV-QT and HF IV-QT were higher in day time (6AM-6PM) than in night time (6PM-6AM). Comparing the differences of these indices by the location of QMI, both the LF IV-QT and HF IV-QT of AMI were higher than those of IMI patients (2.231+/-0.135 vs 1.355+/-0.131 and 2.341+/-0.161 vs 1.346+/-0.145 respectively, p<0.0005). Both indices of each group also demonstrated a circadian change. CONCLUSION: In cases of QMI, the temporal lability in myocardial repolarization is larger than that seen in NQMI. Moreover, it was worse in AMI than IMI. Finally, such temporal repolarization lability tends to have a circadian pattern in QMI.
Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction*

PURPOSE: Numerous materials, both autologous and nonautologous, have been used for augmentation of sunken areas, but they have their own limitations. The purpose of this study is to determine the histologic response and volume change of the xenogenic collagen-based scaffold(Terudermis(R)) to the transfer into a subcutaneous soft tissue location in vivo rabbit model. METHODS: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were used. Three 1.2x1.2cm sized subcutaneous pockets were created on the dorsal surface of each ear. 1x1 cm sized collagen matrix(Terudermis(R)) and autologous dermal graft were implanted into each pocket. Full thickness of ear was harvested in 3 days, 1, 2, 4 weeks, 3, 6 months after implantation. RESULTS: Histological analysis of implants demonstrated progressive neovascularization, fibroblast infilteration, neocollagen bundle synthesis and organization, and few foreign body reaction. The thickness of the collagen matrix in 3 days after the operation was 87.69% of the thickness of the collagen matrix in wet state. Then it decreased to 30.17% in 6 months after the operation. The rate of decrease was similar at all points at the same time compared with autologous dermal graft. CONCLUSION: Our experimental study suggests that Terudermis(R) could be a safe material as an implant for permanent augmentation in subcutaneous tissue. However the choice of graft for augmentation should be remained to the clinical situations.
Collagen* ; Ear ; Fibroblasts ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Rabbits ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Transplants*

OBJECTIVES: As public concern on possible harmful effects of mobile phone in children has been raised, information of epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use in children and adolescents will be essential for public health policy. METHODS: Using three databases (n=21,693) collected from 2008 to 2011, we examined characteristics of mobile phone ownership and use, and socioeconomic positions (SEP) in Korean children and adolescents. RESULTS: The ownership rate and the amount of mobile phone use were higher in females than males, in higher school grades than lower grades, and at 2011 than 2008. The average age of first mobile phone ownership was shown to decrease from 12.5 years in currently high school students to 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011. More than 90% of children in the 5th grade owned a mobile phone. More children owned a mobile phone in lower SEP communities than in higher SEP. Children with parents educated less than those with parents educated more were more likely to own and use mobile phone. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use, precautionary measures to prevent unnecessary exposure to mobile phones are needed in children and adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Cellular Phone* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ownership* ; Parents ; Public Health