This study was undertaken to evaluate the antitumor activities of Cordyceps militaris of silkworm pupa (CMP) and silkworm larva (CML), as compared with the effect of cordycepin, an active compound found in Cordyceps militaris. Antiproliferation effect of the test materials were evaluated in the sarcoma-180 cells using the MTT test. For the in vivo study, ICR mice were inoculated i.p. with 1.0 X 10(6) sarcoma-180 cells/mouse on Day 0, and were again i.p. injected with one of the following substances from Day 1 to Day 10 : saline (control group), 50 mg/kg (CMP50, CML50) ,100 ma/kg (CMP100, CML100), or 200 mg/kg (CMP200, CML200) of Cordyceps militaris water extracts, or 1 mg/kg (C1), 2 mg/kg (C2), or 4 mg/kg (C4) of cordycepin. Pretreatment of the sarcoma-180 cells with 100 mg/ml, 500 mg/ml, and 1000 mg/ml of CML (60.1+/-2.5%, 49.8+/-3.7%, and 45.4+/-0.1% of the value for untreated control cells, respectively) or CMP (68.3+/-2.1%, 55.1+/-0.9%, and 51.4+/-3.5% of the value for control cells, respectively) for 48 hrs significantly decreased the survival rate (proliferation) of tumor cells (p<0.05). Body weight of the control mice bearing ascites tumor and injected with saline was 1.4 times of the value for normal animals at day 18. Mice bearing ascites tumor and injected with cordycepin (1, 2, or 4 mg/kg) exhibited a significantly lighter body weight compared with the control mice, while animals injected with CMP or CML (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) showed a significantly lighter body weight compared with the mice injected with cordycepin. Mice injected with CMP50, CMP100, or CMP200 mg/kg (or CML50, CML100, or CML200 mg/kg) showed a 133% (or 90%), 80% (or 62%), and 68% (or 52%) longer mean survival time, and those treated with C1, C2, or C4 exhibited a 54%, 91% and 80% longer survival time compared to the value for control mice injected with saline. These results indicate that the hot-water extracts of Cordyceps militaris of both silkworm pupa and silkworm larva have an anti-proliferation effect of tumor cells as well as the life prolongation effect in mice bearing ascites tumor, which are superior to the activities of cordycepin.
Animals ; Ascites ; Body Weight ; Bombyx ; Cordyceps* ; Larva ; Life Support Care ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR* ; Pupa ; Survival Rate ; Water*

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the ergonomics associated with robotic surgery including physical discomfort and symptoms, factors influencing symptom reporting, and robotic surgery systems components recommended to be improved. METHODS: The anonymous survey included 20 questions regarding demographics, systems, ergonomics, and physical symptoms and was completed by experienced robotic surgeons online through American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS). RESULTS: There were 289 (260 gynecology, 22 gynecology-oncology, and 7 urogynecology) gynecologic surgeon respondents regularly practicing robotic surgery. Statistical data analysis was performed using the t-test, χ² test, and logistic regression. One hundred fifty-six surgeons (54.0%) reported experiencing physical symptoms or discomfort. Participants with higher robotic case volume reported significantly lower physical symptom report rates (p<0.05). Gynecologists who felt highly confident about managing ergonomic settings not only acknowledged that the adjustments were helpful for better ergonomics but also reported a lower physical symptom rate (p<0.05). In minimizing their symptoms, surgeons changed ergonomic settings (32.7%), took a break (33.3%) or simply ignored the problem (34%). Fingers and neck were the most common body parts with symptoms. Eye symptom complaints were significantly decreased with the Si robot (p<0.05). The most common robotic system components to be improved for better ergonomics were microphone/speaker, pedal design, and finger clutch. CONCLUSION: More than half of participants reported physical symptoms which were found to be primarily associated with confidence in managing ergonomic settings and familiarity with the system depending on the volume of robotic cases. Optimal guidelines and education on managing ergonomic settings should be implemented to maximize the ergonomic benefits of robotic surgery.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Demography ; Education ; Fingers ; Gynecology ; Human Body ; Human Engineering* ; Logistic Models ; Neck ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Surgeons* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Parafibromin is a product of the tumor suppressor gene that has been studied as a potential indicator of tumor aggressiveness in the parathyroid, breast, colorectum, and stomach. However, the clinical significance and potential function of parafibromin expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of parafibromin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and to verify its potential as a biomarker of tumor behavior. METHODS: Parafibromin expression was evaluated in 30 cases of LSCC using immunohistochemistry. The correlations between parafibromin expression and clinicopathologic parameters were investigated. RESULTS: Parafibromin expression was positive in 15 cases (50%) and negative in 15 cases (50%). Tumor size and T stage showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with parafibromin expression (p=.028 and p<.001, respectively). Parafibromin expression was not associated with age, sex, lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation, or tumor location. There was no statistically significant relationship between parafibromin expression and progression-free survival in the patients (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the downregulation or loss of parafibromin expression can be employed as a novel marker of tumor progression or aggressiveness in LSCC.
Breast ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Head ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach

A 27-year-old female was referred to our hospital postpartum due to rapid aggravation of facial swelling. She was diagnosed with osteomyelitis on clinical, radiological, and histopathological examinations, but the possibility of malignancy was not excluded. Clinical signs and symptoms such as facial swelling and discomfort were improved with four months of antibiotics treatment. This is a case of an osteomyelitis progressed from infected extraction socket in a woman with physiological changes of pregnancy. Decreased immunological response, increased sex hormone and calcium regulatory hormones regulate the response of the bone infection. We report this case for helping the diagnosis of unusual form of osteomyelitis in pregnancy and postpartum.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Calcium ; Female ; Humans ; Molar, Third ; Osteomyelitis ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Of the many prognostic factors for breast cancer, the relationship between an infiltration of inflammatory cells and the prognosis is debatable. Of the chemokines affecting cancer's inflammatory reactions, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) has attracted attention for its prognostic value in many cancers, including colorectal cancer and renal cell carcinoma. But the situation for breast carcinoma is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the prognostic factors and the CXCL16 expression in patients with breast carcinoma. METHODS: The patients (n=106) diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer of the breast were enrolled. We reviewed the clinicopathological factors of these patients, hematoxylin and eosin stains were prepared and estrogen receptor (ER), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) and CXCL16 immunostaining was performed. RESULTS: The ER expression was significantly correlated with age and inflammation. A CXCL16 expression was noted in 81.1% of the cases. No association was evident between a CXCL16 expression and any other parameter, including the survival rate. Multivariate analysis did not implicate ER, HER2/neu or CXCL16 as an independent prognostic factor, but the tumor size was independent predictive factor for the patient outcome. CONCLUSIONS: An inflammatory reaction mediated by CXCL16 is not associated with the prognosis of breast cancer or any clinicopathological factors.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Chemokines ; Chemokines, CXC ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Coloring Agents ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Estrogens ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Receptor, erbB-2 ; Receptors, Scavenger ; Survival Rate

The respiratory function is relevant to the craniofacial growth and orthodontic diagnosis. The size of the pharyngeal airway was measured in lateral cephalometric view in children visited Kyung Hee University Hospital from January 2015 to August 2017. A total of 74 healthy children (36 boys and 38 girls) aged 7 - 11 years (mean, 8.5 years) with a normodivergent facial pattern were divided into three groups according to anteroposterior jaw relation measuring A point-Nasion-B point (ANB) angle. Lateral cephalometric data were used to measure the airway dimensions. The dimensions of the middle airway were significantly lower, reducing the upper airway space, in large ANB angle group than in other children, suggesting that children with large ANB angle have narrower airway space than others.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Jaw ; Malocclusion

Background: and PurposeThis study was designed to investigate differences in the final recommended pressure setting between that derived from an autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) device and manual in-laboratory continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration, as well as the factors that influence pressure differences in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: This study enrolled 50 patients with OSA. All patients underwent both APAP titration and manual CPAP titration. We obtained the average device pressure ≤90% of the time (APAP90) from the downloaded manual for the APAP machine and the optimal pressure obtained by manual CPAP titration (CPAPmanual). We placed the subjects into three groups based on the pressure difference (ΔP) obtained by subtracting CPAPmanual from APAP90: 1) Prequal (ΔP=0), 2) CPAPmanual+ (ΔP ≤−1), and 3) APAP90+ (ΔP ≥1). Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictive factors associated with ΔP. Results: The values of APAP90 and CPAPmanual were 9.50±3.03 cmH2O and 9.48±2.71 cmH2O (mean±SD), respectively (p=0.95). The Prequal, CPAPmanual+, and APAP90+ groups comprised 9 (18%), 23 (46%), and 18 (36%) subjects, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that male sex [β=3.539, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.040–7.039], body mass index (BMI) (β=0.186, 95% CI=0.020–0.352), and average usage per day (β=0.768, 95% CI=0.077–1.459) were associated with ΔP. Conclusions While the mean pressure in the overall cohort did not differ significantly between APAP90 and CPAPmanual, there was a discordance majority showing different single pressures obtained when applying the two titration methods. Being Male, having an increased BMI, and having an increased average usage per day of APAP were significantly correlated with increased ΔP in this study.

PURPOSE: To report the results of preschool vision screening of South Korean children in the year of 2001. METHODS: Nation-wide population-based vision screening tests were conducted in a stepwise manner on the preschool children over 3 years of age. The first step of test was home-screening using 5 familiar picture cards. The children who didn't pass the first step (VA < 0.5 in at least one eye) were sent to the Public Health Care Centers and re-tested there with regular vision charts. After this second step of test, some children were referred to the ophthalmologists. The referral criteria for visual acuity were: at 3 years less than 0.5, at 4 or above 4 years less than 0.63 in at least one eye. Data were collected for the 67, 315 children to evaluate the ophthalmologic conditions. RESULTS: Among 67, 315 subjects who had been enrolled, 97% of children had visual acuity of 0.5 or better. Of those screened, 5, 221 (7.8%) children were referred to the ophthalmologists. The feedback results for 3, 058 (4.6%) children could be collected. Of those referred, 2, 488(80.6%) had one or more ophthalmologic disorders. Refractive errors were found in 2183 children. Amblyopia was discovered in 560 children. Manifest strabismus was detected in 144 children. CONCLUSIONS: In this population setting, ocular disorders which can affect visual development were found in 2, 488 children. This attests to the importance of performing early and effective screening tests for preschool children.
Amblyopia ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Public Health ; Referral and Consultation ; Refractive Errors ; Strabismus ; Vision Screening* ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the reproducibilities and compare the measurements in digital and MDCT-synthesized cephalometric radiograph, and to investigate the effect of head position on the measurement during imaging with MDCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two dry skulls (combined with mandible) were used in this study. Conventional digital cephalometric radiograph was taken in standard position, and MDCT was taken in standard position and two rotated position (10degrees left rotation and 10degrees right tilting). MDCT data were imported in OnDemand(R) and lateral cephalometric radiograph were synthesized from 3D virtual models. Two types of rotated MDCT data were synthesized with default mode and with corrected mode using both ear rods. For all six images, sixteen angular and eleven linear measurements were made in V-Ceph(R) three times. Reproducibility of measurements was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA and ICC. Linear and angular measurements were compared between digital and five MDCTsynthesized images by Student t-test. RESULTS: All measurements in six types of cephalometric radiograph were not statistically different under ICC examination. Measurements were not different between digital and MDCT-synthesized images (P>.05). Measurements in MDCT-synthesized image in 10degrees left rotation or 10degrees right tilting position showed possibility of difference from digital image in some measurements, and possibility of improvement via realignment of head position using both ear rods. CONCLUSION: MDCT-synthesized cephalometric radiograph can substitute conventional cephalometric radiograph. The error on head position during imaging with MDCT have possibility that can produce measurement errors with MDCT-synthesized image, and these position error can be corrected by realignment of the head position using both ear rods.
Ear ; Head ; Humans ; Skull

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the accuracy of linear measurements on three-dimensional (3D) images using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCT and CBCT were performed using 24 dry skulls. Twenty-one measurements were taken on the dry skulls using digital caliper. Both types of CT data were imported into OnDemand software and identification of landmarks on the 3D surface rendering images and calculation of linear measurements were performed. Reproducibility of the measurements was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA and ICC, and the measurements were statistically compared using a Student t-test. RESULTS: All assessments under the direct measurement and image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT showed no statistically difference under the ICC examination. The measurements showed no differences between the direct measurements of dry skull and the image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional reconstructed surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT would be appropriate for 3D measurements.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Reproducibility of Results ; Skull