We have used BALB/c mice as an animal model for the study of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to the house dust mite. For the sensitization, BALB/c mice were injected with a single dose of extracts of Oermatophagoides farinae (D. pa) or Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pt) mixed with adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide and Bordetella pertussis) intraperitonealy. On days of 15, 30, and 60 after the sensitization, the mice received a challenge dose of the same allergen intravenously to induce anaphylactic shock. The hypersensitivity reactions were scored by anaphylactic shock. And various immunological parameters, including cytokines and immunoglobulin isotypes, were studied in relation with the shock. A high level of anaphylactic shock was produced in the mice by both of the allergens, D, fa and D, pt, at 15 and 30 days after sensitization. In vitro Ag specific proliferative reponses of spleen cells from D. pt treated mice (D. pt mice) was six times higher than those from O. fa treated mice (O. fa mice). Regardless the differences in antigens, the production of IFN-r by spleen cells from D. pt mice or O. fa mice was equally high at 15 days after sensitization. However, the ability to produce IFN-r by the spleen cells from D, pt mice was three times higher compared to that from D. fa mice. The production of IL-4 by the spleen cells was enhanced slightly but not significant in both groups. In studies of the allergen-specific immunoglobulin isotypes in the sera of the mice, the level of IgE in both groups was enhanced slightly but not significant. In contrast, the level of IgG subtypes were increased in both groups. When the levels of IgG were compared by subtypes, the level of IgG1 increased significantly on day 15 when the anaphylactic shock score was maximized in both groups. Increase in IgG2a level at the day was not significant, instead, asignificant increase in IgG2 levels was observed on day 60 after sensitization when the anaphylaxis was almost discontinued. Although a higher level of IgG3 was examined on day 15 and 30 in D. pt mice and on day 60 in D, fa mice, anaphylaxis was not appeared to be associated with the levels of IgG3 in this study. The IgG1, rather than IgE, was assumed to the major factor involved in the anaphylactic response observed in this experiment. In conclusion, BALB/c mice would be an animal model for the study of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to D. fa or D, pt., which might be an essential tool for the future development of immuno-therapeutic agents.
Mice ; Animals

From 1989 to 1996, push back palatoplasty, 2-flap palatoplasty and Furlow's palatoplasty were the main procedures of cleft palate repair in our institute. To compare the maxillary growth state of patients in each palatoplasty group, evaluation of dental occlusion and cephalometric analysis were performed in total 50 patients. The results were as follows: 1. Normal control group was composed of 17 children who didn't have cleft lip or cleft palate. Mean values of cephalometric data in the normal control group were 6.19 cm in SN length, 1.17cm in ONA length, 7.29cm in effective maxillary length 53.88degree in SNO angle, and 82.41 degree in SNA angle. 2. Fourteen patients who underwent push-back palatoplasty showed anterior crossbite in all cases. SNO angle and SNA angle were significantly decreased compared to the normal control group, which indicated significant impairment of maxillary growth. 3. In seventeen patients who underwent 2-flap palatoplasty, 7 patients showed anterior crossbite. Cephalometric parameters showed no significant difference compared to the normal control group. 4. Nineteen patients underwent Furlow's palatoplasty. In this group, 3 patients had anterior crossbite. Cephalometric parameters showed no significant difference compared to the normal control group. Although this report was based on data acquired from patients before the age of complete maxillary growth, our results suggested that each palatoplasty would have a different influence on maxillary growth.
Child ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Dental Occlusion ; Facial Bones* ; Humans ; Malocclusion

Responses of mouse lymphocytes to the soybean paste fermented by Korean traditional fashion was examined to clarify its effects in cytokine production in vitro. A fraction of the soybean paste (KFSP-100) was prepared by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and by filtration through ultrafiltration membrane. KFSP-100 were added into cultures of fresh mouse splenic cells in vitro. KFSP-100 significantly enhanced the amount of IL-6 and TNF-a produced by macrophages and IL-6 and IFN-r produced by lymphocytes. Production of IL-12 by macrophages was not much affected by KFSP-100 treatments. The most noticeable finding was the fact that lymphocytes treated with KFSP-100 proliferated to an exceeding numbers (more than 10 times to the control) in 72 hours. The KFSP-100-induced proliferative response was specific to B cells since almost all of the KFSP-100-induced cells in the cultures of splenic cells were B cells. Furthermore, such a proliferative responses were equally observed only in cultures of purified B cells but not in cultures of T cells. In thermostability test, the biologically active components of the KFSP-100 is assumed to be either linear protein or glycoprotein. KFSP-100 did not induce agglutination of lymphocytes demonstrated by lectins in the same cells. These observations suggest that KFSP-100 may be a novel mitogen for B lymphocytes. The component (s) responsible for the B cell proliferation in KFSP-100 might be a factor gained by natural fermentation. None of the fractions of not fermented soybean paste prepared by the same methods demonstrate the same effect.
Agglutination ; Ammonium Sulfate ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Proliferation ; Fermentation ; Filtration ; Glycoproteins ; Immunologic Factors* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lectins ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Membranes ; Mice ; Soybeans* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ultrafiltration

To evaluate the features of pyuria related to the bacteriuria, 140subjects were studied from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1987. They pyuria was frequently developed from the age 30 to 60 years old, and male to female ratio was 1:1.41. The most common disease was urethrocystitis that was shown 42.8%. Common precipitating factors were urethral catheterization (25%) and urinary tract obstruction (11.4%). Through the observation, symptomatic pyuric patients were 66 subjects (47.1%), and the subjects with significant urine culture were 121 subjects (86.4%). In the urine culture, the most common bacteria was E. coli (41.4%), and the next was Pseudomonas (19.3%). A large percentage of E. coli and Pseudomonas was susceptible of amikin. The pyuria due to S. epidermidis and Accinatobacter was well treated. High therapeutic rate was observed in the acute pyelonephritis (71%) and urethrocystitis (67%). In the persistent urinary tract infection, there were relapsing (22 cases) and recurrent urinary tract infection (16 cases).
Amikacin ; Bacteria ; Bacteriuria ; Clinical Study* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Precipitating Factors ; Pseudomonas ; Pyelonephritis ; Pyuria* ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

No abstract available.
Orthopedics* ; Superficial Back Muscles*

Nine typical cases of ossifying fibroma in the tibia or fibula were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and histopathological aspects of this disease. Along with the case analysis, light and polarized microscopic examinations were performed in each case. Differential points with monostotic fibrous dysplasia were as follows; 1) ossifying fibroma begins in the significantly younger age, which is in most cases below 10 years of age, 2) it is confined to diaphysis of tibia or fibula, 3) radiologically, multilocular osteolytic destructive change in eccentric pattern is usually combined with anterior or anterolateral bowing deformity, 4) microscopically, characteristic findings are presence of osteoblastic rimming, peripheral maturation, and zonal phenomenon. In the treatment of ossifying fibroma, definitive surgical treatment should be delayed until skeletal maturity, when segmental resection in wide margin including periosteum might be preferred.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Diaphyses ; Fibroma, Ossifying ; Fibrous Dysplasia, Monostotic ; Fibula ; Fluconazole ; Osteoblasts ; Periosteum ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia

The amniotic band syndrome is a collection of congenital deformities presurmably due to rupture of amniotic sac. It appears to cause fetal injury through three basic mechanisms including malformation, disruption, and deformation. The associated anomalies vary firom minor digital defect to major craniofacial and visceral defects. They can be categorized as neural tube-like defects, craniofacial anomalies, limb anomalies, abdominal and thoracic wall defects, visceral anomalies, and constriction bands. We had expericnced a case of severe congenital craniofacial anomaly due to amniotic bands diagnosed by ultrasonogram in the antenatal period is presented with a brief review of the literatures.
Amniotic Band Syndrome* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Constriction ; Extremities ; Infant, Newborn ; Rupture ; Thoracic Wall ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We explored the possibility of DNA methylation as a mechanism of loss of type II collagen expression in dedifferentiating chondrocytes by culturing in monolayer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dedifferentiation was induced by low density subculturing primary porcine chondrocytes in vitro. The mRNA expression of Type I collagen, Type II collagen and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) was measured by RT-PCR. Induction of redifferentiation in dedifferentiated chondrocytes was performed in 3-dimensional alginate bead culture system. As stimulating factors for reexpression of genes in dedifferentiated chondrocytes, 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 and 5 micrometer 5-azacytidine were used. RESULTS: Type II collagen mRNAs was expressed strongly in freshly isolated cells but had decreased in monolayer cultured cells after 3 weeks up to 40%. In contrast, type I collagen expression was increased from 21 days and kept increasing during the 86 days of study. After treatment of 5 micrometer 5-azacytidine, fibroblast like morphology was changed to round shape such as traditional chondrocyte morphology at day 4. At day 10, type II collagen expression was increased by 5-azacytidine and TGF-beta1 marginally and also integrin beta1 expression was increased in all groups. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that DNMT3A expression increased in dedifferentiating chondrocytes when compared with control cells for 40 days. CONCLUSION: Loss of type II collagen mRNA expression and increase of DNMT 3A expression were showed similar patterns during dedifferentiation. These results suggest that type II collagen gene expression may be influenced by DNA methylation. As stimulating factors, TGF-beta1 and 5-azacytidine have potential activity to increase the type II collagen expression in alginate culture system.
Antigens, CD29 ; Azacitidine ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II* ; DNA Methylation* ; DNA* ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose gabapentin for interdigital neuroma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2000 and June 2003, 32 patients (39 feet) with interdigital neuroma were treated with using low-dose gabapentin. Two of the 32 patients were male, and thirty were female, and the average age was 47.4 years. The follow-up was 6 to 44months (mean 15.1 months). All cases were diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasonography or MRI. Low-dose gabapentin (300-600 mg) was prescribed and shoe modification was recommended. The patients were evaluated through questionnaire. RESULTS: Neuroma was found in twenty one cases at the third intermetatarsal space, and thirteen at the second intermetatarsal space. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 96% and that of MRI was 79%. Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent or good by 18 cases (57%). Average pain relief ratio was 50.3%, and in 14 cases, more than 80% of pain relief was noted. Nine (28%) of 32 patients showed they had no activity restrictions, such as daily activities or work, whereas 8 (25%) had mild restrictions and 15 (47%) had major restrictions. Twelve of 15 patient with major restrictions had been treated operatively (neurectomy; 10 cases, decompression; 2 cases). One case had gastrointestinal problem. CONCLUSION: Low-dose gabapentin for interdigital neuroma was one of the effective conservative treatments. The operation may be preserved for patient with the persist symptoms, nevertheless the conservative treatments and use of low-dose gabapentin.
Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuroma* ; Physical Examination ; Shoes ; Ultrasonography

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication associated with diabetes. DPN can present as a loss of sensation, may lead to neuropathic ulcers, and is a leading cause of amputation. Reported estimates of the prevalence of DPN vary due to differences in study populations and diagnostic criteria. Furthermore, the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of DPN in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not as well understood as those of other complications of diabetes such as retinal and renal disease. Recently, the Diabetic Neuropathy Study Group of the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) conducted a study investigating the impact of DPN on disease burden and quality of life in patients with T2DM and has published some data that are representative of the nation. This review investigated the prevalence and associated clinical implications of DPN in Korean patients with diabetes based on the KDA study.
Amputation ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Neuropathies* ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Retinaldehyde ; Sensation ; Ulcer