PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the roughness and surface alternations of three differently blasted titanium discs treated by Nd: YVO4 Laser irradiation in different conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty commercially pure titanium discs were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was consisted of 10 samples and blasted by ZrO2 (zirconium dioxide), Al2O3 (aluminum oxide), and RBM (resorbable blasted media). All the samples were degreased by ultrasonic cleaner afterward. Nine different conditions were established by changing scanning speed (100, 300, 500 mm/s) and repetition rate (5, 15, 35 kHz) of Nd: YVO4 Laser (Laser Pro D-20, Laserval Korea(R) Seoul, South Korea). After laser irradiation, a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, and surface roughness analysis were used to assess the roughness and surface alternations of the samples. RESULTS: According to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), titanium discs treated with laser irradiation showed characteristic patterns in contrast to the control which showed irregular patterns. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, only Al2O3 group showed its own peak. The oxidation tendency and surface roughness of titanium were similar to the control in the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. The surface roughness was inversely proportional to the scanning speed, whereas proportional to the repetition rate of Nd: YVO4. CONCLUSION: The surface microstructures and roughness of the test discs were modified by the radiation of Nd: YVO4 laser. Therefore, laser irradiation could be considered one of the methods to modify implant surfaces for the enhancement of osseointegration.
Electrons ; Osseointegration ; Pilot Projects ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; Ultrasonics ; X-Ray Diffraction

PURPOSE: About 10% of girls with Turner syndrome may have autoimmune thyroid disease(AIT), but the disease's pathophysiology has not yet been elucidated. Accordingly, this study was performed to observe whether the pathogenesis of AIT in children with Turner syndrome and without Turner syndrome correlate with special loci of DQ and chain in HLA. METHODS: Blood samples were drawn from children with and without Turner syndrome. Thyroid antibodies(anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibody) were measured from the samples to determine AIT. DNAs were extracted with the DNA extraction kit and processed in PCR reaction for amplification of exon 2 region of HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1, and then eluted again. The eluted PCR products were sequenced directly with an automatic sequencer. The sequences were compared with those of normal control. RESULTS: There was a signficant increase in frequencies of HLA DQA1*0301(P<0.05) and HLA DQB1*0601 but without statistical significance(P=0.06) in normal children with AIT, compared with those in control group. There was signficantly but slightly increased frequency of HLA DQA1*0104, 0105 and DQB1*0202 in the group of children with Turner syndrome who had AIT than in control group. The frequency of the marker chromosome(45,X/46,XX+mar) increased in children with Turner syndrome who had AIT, compared with these in children with Turner syndrome who did not have AIT. Children with Turner syndrome who had spontaneous puberty had higher a incidence rate of AIT than those who did not have spontaneous puberty(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that HLA DQA1*0301 and HLA DQB1*0601 play a role in the pathogenesis of AIT in children without Turner syndrome, but not in children with Turner syndrome. Additionally, there seem to be other factors participating in the pathogenesis of AIT in children with Turner syndrome, such as chromosomal karyotype and spontaneous puberty. Therefore, the factors participitating in the pathogenesis of AIT in children with Turner syndrome remain to be elucidated with further study.
Adolescent ; Child* ; DNA ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karyotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Puberty ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Turner Syndrome*

OBJECTIVE: Green tea polyphenol (GTP) has been shown to have anti-tumor properties in a wide variety of experimental systems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GTP on the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in cultured HeLa and SiHa cells. METHODS: The cell lines from Korean Cell Culture Bank were cultured in a RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with a 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics streptomycin and penicillin. GTP was extracted from tea leaves (Camellia scinensis) by water extraction and organic solvent fractionation. Cells were seeded at 1 x 10(4) cells/well in RPMI1640 media in triplicate wells on a Nunc Labware 96 well flat bottom microculture plate, with and without GTP (100 microgram/mL) and at different concentrations of cisplatin (0-1000 microgram/mL). After incubating the plates at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for 2 days, cell viability was determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; thiazolyl blue] assay. RESULTS: The viability of the HeLa cells was decreased to 14% at a 600 microgram/mL concentration of cisplatin, and to 16% at 600 microgram/mL in the SiHa cells as measured by the MTT assay. However, in the HeLa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 68% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. And in the SiHa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 48% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. CONCLUSION: This study showed that cisplatin with GTP seems to have a potentiating effect on Cisplatin cytotoxicity than cisplatin alone.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line* ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin* ; Guanosine Triphosphate ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Penicillins ; Streptomycin ; Tea* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Water

OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for superficial neoplasms and its usage has been recently extended to deeper lesions. The purpose of this study was to observe whether or not PDT can cure breast cancer in the solid tumor model, and to define the critical point of laser amount for killing the cancer cells. METHODS: Twenty four BALB/c mouse models with subcutaneous EMT6 mammary carcinomas were prepared. Mice were divided into eight groups depending on the amount of illumination, and the tumor size was between 8 mm and 10 mm. We began by peritoneal infiltration with a photosensitizer 48 hours prior to applying the laser light, and then we applied a non-thermal laser light. The energy was from 350 J/cm2 to 30 J/cm2 to the cancer. RESULTS: Regardless of the tumor size from 8 mm to 10 mm, all mice apparently showed positive results via PDT. We also did not find any recurrence over 90 J/cm2. In all models, the color of the breast cancer lesions began to vary to dark on 2 days post PDT and the tumor regression began simultaneously. Also, we confirmed the complete regression of the breast cancer 21 days after PDT. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that PDT may treat breast cancers that are sized less 10 mm in mouse models. The moderate energy to destruct the breast cancer cells may be 90 J/cm2. Therefore, we can expcect that PDT may be utilized to treat breast cancer, but we need more experience, skills and processing for clinical trials.
Animals ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Homicide ; Light ; Lighting ; Mice ; Photochemotherapy ; Recurrence ; Triazenes

Anemia associated with Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) malaria occurs as a result of the lysis of red cells by schizonts, bone marrow suppression, and splenic sequestration. A 20-year-old man presented with fever and anemia. He was diagnosed with P. vivax malaria with a positive direct antiglobulin test and treated with antimalarial medication for 2 weeks. He recovered without sequelae. we suggest that autoimmune hemolytic anemia should be considered as one of cause of anemia in P. vivax malaria.
Anemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Bone Marrow ; Coombs Test ; Fever ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Schizonts ; Young Adult

Anemia associated with Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) malaria occurs as a result of the lysis of red cells by schizonts, bone marrow suppression, and splenic sequestration. A 20-year-old man presented with fever and anemia. He was diagnosed with P. vivax malaria with a positive direct antiglobulin test and treated with antimalarial medication for 2 weeks. He recovered without sequelae. we suggest that autoimmune hemolytic anemia should be considered as one of cause of anemia in P. vivax malaria.
Anemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Bone Marrow ; Coombs Test ; Fever ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Schizonts ; Young Adult

Endometrial carcinoma is predominantly a disease of postmenopausal women, so we don't have to consider fertility. But in case of young women who want to preserve their fertility, it is very difficult to approach. We experienced one case of treatment using high-dose Megestrol Acetate (Megace(R)) combined with PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) on early stage of endometrial carcinoma, in young aged woman who wanted to preserve her fertility. And, we described briefly clinicopathologic findings, reviews of literatures and possibility of combined therapy with Megestrol and PDT.
Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Megestrol Acetate* ; Megestrol*

Background: This study aimed to determine whether serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with various indices of liver damage in the adult Korean population. Methods: We used the Seventh (VII) Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Our study population comprised 6,007 men and 8,488 women. Levels of SUA were divided into four groups (≤ 5.3, 5.3–6.0, 6.0–7.0, and > 7.0 mg/dL for men and ≤ 4.0, 4.0–4.8, 4.8–6.0, and > 6.0 mg/dL for women). Elevated liver enzyme levels were defined as > 35 (men) and > 31 (women) IU/L for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), > 45 (men) and > 34 (women) IU/L for alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Hepatic steatosis index and fibrosis (FIB)-4 index was used to determine nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver FIB, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated by logistic regression analysis for liver enzymes, NAFLD, and liver FIB, according to the SUA level. Results: Among women, the 4.8–6.0 and > 6.0 mg/dL SUA groups showed higher ORs of elevated AST (aOR, 1.78 and 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.32 and 1.40–2.96, respectively; P < 0.001) and the 4.0–4.8, 4.8–6.0, and > 6.0 mg/dL SUA groups showed a higher ORs of ALT elevation (aOR, 1.35, 2.26, and 2.37; 95% CI, 1.02–1.79, 1.72–2.97, and 1.60–3.50, respectively; P < 0.001) compared to the lowest level SUA group. Among women with normal ALT, > 6.0 mg/dL SUA group showed higher OR of NAFLD status (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06–2.19). Among men and women with NAFLD, hyperuricemia showed higher ORs of liver FIB (aOR, 2.25 and 1.89; 95% CI, 1.21–4.19 and 1.09–3.27, respectively) than the lowest level SUA group. Conclusion High SUA levels may be associated with elevated liver enzymes and NAFLD, mainly in women. Even in women with normal ALT levels, SUA levels may predict the NAFLD status. Hyperuricemia may predict advanced liver FIB in both men and women with NAFLD. Further studies investigating the causal effects of SUA on liver damage are required.

Propionibacterium acnes is a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus and a normal inhabitant of the skin. Although it is often considered a contaminant of blood cultures, it can occasionally cause serious infections, including postoperative central nervous system infections. Here, we report the case of a 70-yr-old man who developed a large cerebral abscess caused by P. acnes 13 months after neurosurgery. Immediate gram staining of the pus from his brain revealed the presence of gram-positive coccobacilli. However, colony growth was observed only after 5 days of culture. Therefore, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the pus specimen. The isolate was identified as P. acnes. The colonies developed 9 days after the initial culture. The API Rapid ID 32A test (bioMerieux, France) was performed using a colony, but an unacceptable profile was obtained. Then, the pus was transferred into the enrichment broths of the BACTEC FX (Becton Dickinson, USA) and BacT/Alert 3D (bioMerieux, Organon Teknika, USA) systems, but only the BACTEC FX system could detect growth after 5 days. We performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and API Rapid 32A profiling with a colony recovered from Brucella agar, which was inoculated with the microbial growth in the enrichment broth from the BACTEC FX system. The organism was identified as P. acnes by both methods. This case suggests that 16S rRNA gene sequencing may be a useful alternative for identifying slowly growing P. acnes from specimens that do not show growth after 5 days of culture.
Aged ; Brain Abscess/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Propionibacterium acnes/genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Surgical Wound Infection/*diagnosis/microbiology

PURPOSE: In order to elucidate the antitumor effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using a derivative of the photosensitizing agent hematoporphyrin (Photogem) and a diode laser, the cell death of uterine cancer cell lines (CaSki, HT3, HeLa, and SKOV-3), and mice transplanted with TC-1 lung cancer cells, were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morphological changes, MTT assay, flow cytometry, cytotoxicity and tumor growth inhibition study were evaluated at various time intervals after the PDT. RESULTS: The results showed that the survival rates of each cell line decreased with time and dose response after performing the PDT. Also, the PDT-induced damage of cancer cells was almost entirely confined to necrosis of the tumor cells in the early time courses. The irradiation of CaSki cells in the presence of Photogem induced plasma membrane disruption and cell shrinkage, indicating the plasma membrane as the main target for Photogem. In the in vivo experiment, significantly longer survival and a significantly smaller tumor size were seen over the time courses of the Photogem with irradiation compared to the untreated control groups; resorption of the tumor was also observed after the PDT treatment. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results indicated that Photogem possesses anti-tumor effects, and necrosis-like death, with plasma membrane damage, was postulated to be the principal mechanism of the antitumor effect of the PDT using Photogem.
Animals ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cell Membrane ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematoporphyrins ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Necrosis* ; Photochemotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Uterine Neoplasms