Historically, German chamomile (GC) oil has been used for treatment of skin disorders. BALB/c mice were sensitized twice a week with 100 microL of 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and challenged twice the following week with 100 microliter of 0.2% DNCB for atopic dermatitis induction. Thereafter, 3% GC oil was applied daily (70 microliter, 6 times week) on the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. Saline or jojoba oil was used for the control mice. Blood was collected after second DNCB challenge, and at 2 and 4 weeks after initiating oil application. Serum IgE levels were significantly lowered in the GC oil application group at the end of the 4-week application period. The GC oil application for 4 weeks resulted in reduction in serum IgG1 level compared with that after 2-week application. The GC oil application group showed a significantly lower serum histamine level than the control group 2 weeks after oil application. Scratching frequency of the GC oil application group was significantly lower than either control groups. This study is to demonstrate GC oil's immunoregulatory potential for alleviating atopic dermatitis through influencing of Th2 cell activation.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects ; Chamomile/*immunology ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy/*immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Histamine/blood ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Interleukin-4/analysis ; Male ; Matricaria/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phytotherapy/*methods ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Th2 Cells/*immunology

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the effects of image filter on observer performance by counting the number of holes at each wedge step on a radiographic image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aluminum step wedge with 11 steps ranged in thickness from 1.5 mm to 16.5 mm in 1.5 mm increments was fabricated for this study. Each step had 10 notched holes with 1.0 mm diameter on the bottom of the step wedge which were ranged in depths from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments. Digital radiographic raw images of the aluminum step wedge were acquired by using CCD intraoral sensor. The images were processed using several types of noise reduction filters and kernel sizes. Three observers counted the number of holes which could be discriminated on each step. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: The number of holes at each step was decreased as the thickness of step was increased. The number of holes at each step on the raw images was significantly higher than that on the processed images. The number of holes was different according to the types and kernel sizes of the image filters. CONCLUSION: The types and kernel sizes of image filters on observer performance were important, therefore, they should be standardized for commercial digital imaging systems.
Aluminum ; Noise ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography, Dental ; Task Performance and Analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calculate the size and CT number of both normal parotid and submandibular gland, and evaluate its relation to sex, age and obesity using computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The computed tomography was performed parallel to the Frankfurt plane in 46 subjects with healthy salivary gland. The subjects were divided into the three groups(young, middle, old) according to their ages. The size of salivary gland was determined as maximum cross-sectional area and the CT number of salivary gland was determined as the mean CT number of three ROI's. The body mass index was calculated from weight and height. RESULTS: The mean maximum cross-sectional area was 7.79(+/-1.26) cm2 on parotid gland and 4.12(+/-0.83) cm2 on submandibular gland. The mean CT number was -4.43(+/-23.87) HU on parotid gland and 50.01(+/-15.63) HU on submandibular gland. There were decreasing pattern of the maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland and the CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland according to age(p<0.05). As the body mass index increased, the maximum cross-sectional area of parotid gland increased and CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland decreased(p<0.05). The maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland in male was larger than that in female(p<0.05). As the maximum cross-sectional area and CT number of left salivary gland increased, those of right gland increased(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intra-individual differences in salivary gland size and CT number is considered in the age and individual obesity.
Aging ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands* ; Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a system for the measurement and simulation of the TMJ movement and to analyze the mandibular movement quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We devised patient-specific splints and a registration body for the TMJ movement tracking. The mandibular movements of the 12 subjects with facial deformity and 3 controls were obtained by using an optical tracking system and the patient-specific splints. The mandibular part was manually segmented from the CT volume data of a patient. Three-dimensional surface models of the maxilla and the mandible were constructed using the segmented data. The continuous movement of the mandible with respect to the maxilla could be simulated by applying the recorded positions sequentially. Trajectories of the selected reference points were calculated during simulation and analyzed. RESULTS: The selected points were the most superior point of bilateral condyle, lower incisor point, and pogonion. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between control group and pre-surgical group in the maximum displacement of left superior condyle, lower incisor, and pogonion in vertical direction. Differences in the maximum lengths of the right and the left condyle were 0.59+/-0.30 mm in pre-surgical group and 2.69+/-2.63 mm in control group, which showed a significant difference (P<0.005). The maximum of differences between lengths of the right and the left calculated during one cycle also showed a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in mandibular movements between the groups implies that facial deformity have an effect on the movement asymmetry of the mandible.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Splints ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Track and Field

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of irradiation on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis induction during the carcinogenesis in hamster buccal pouch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three months old Syrian golden hamsters were divided into control and 2 experimental groups. Hamsters in control group were left untreated on buccal pouchs. Twenty four hamsters were treated with 0.5% DMBA tri-weekly on the right buccal pouch. Forty eight hamsters were treated with 0.5% DMBA tri-weekly and irradiated with the dose of 5 Gy and 10 Gy at 6, 9, 12, 15 weeks after DMBA application. Resected buccal pouches were sectioned and examined for potential expression pattern of PCNA and apoptosis. RESULTS: The PCNA index was increased with the stages of buccal pouch epithelium carcinogenesis except the hyperplasia stage in control group (p<0.05). The irradiation did not effect on the PCNA index in the dysplasia and the carcinoma in situ stage, but in the hyperplasia stage, the PCNA index was increased with 10 Gy radiation and decreased in the carcinoma stage (p<0.05). The apoptotic index was significantly decreased from the carcinoma in situ stage and the lowest in the carcinoma stage. The apoptotic index was significantly decreased in the hyperplasia and dysplasia stage with the 5 Gy irradiation and significantly increased only in the carcinoma stage with the 10 Gy irradiation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The PCNA and apoptotic index were varied according to the irradiation period and dosage in each carcinogenesis stage.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene* ; Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Cricetinae* ; Epithelium ; Hyperplasia ; Mesocricetus ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Radiation Dosage

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), which belongs to the Ewing's sarcoma (ES) family of tumors, is mainly seen in children and young adults. PNETs are extremely rare in the maxilla. Here, we report a case of PNET of the left maxillary sinus in an elderly male. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a slightly enhanced solid mass occupying the left maxillary sinus and infiltrating into the retroantral space. A partial maxillectomy was performed. Despite postoperative chemotherapy, follow-up computed tomography (CT) and MRI revealed a nodal metastasis in the submandibular space. Neck dissection was performed. However, the patient died 10 months after the second surgery because of distant metastasis to the liver. MRI and CT were particularly useful in detecting the extent of the tumor, recurrence, and metastasis. Further, a literature review of the previously reported PNET cases of the maxilla was carried out. In this paper, we also discuss the current approach for the diagnosis and management of these tumors.
Aged* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive* ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cervical lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients by MRI film and neural network system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oral squamous cell carcinoma patients(21 patients, 59 lymph nodes) who have visited SNU hospital and been taken by MRI, were included in this study. Neck dissection operations were done and all of the cervical lymph nodes were confirmed with biopsy. In MR images, each lymph node were evaluated by using 6 MR imaging criteria(size, roundness, heterogeneity, rim enhancement, central necrosis, grouping) respectively. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of each single MR imaging criteria were calculated. At neural network system, the layers of neural network system consisted of 10 input layer units, 10 hidden layer units and 1 output layer unit. 6 MR imaging criteria previously described and 4 MR imaging criteria (site I-node level 2, site II-other node level, shape I-oval, shape II-bean) were included for input layer units. The training files were made of 39 lymph nodes(24 metastatic lymph nodes, 10 non-metastatic lymph nodes) and the testing files were made of other 20 lymph nodes(10 metastatic lymph nodes, 10 non-metastatic lymph nodes). The neural network system was trained with training files and the output level (metastatic index) of testing files were acquired. Diagnosis from neural network was decided according to 4 different standard metastatic index-68, 78, 88, 98 respectively and positive predictive values, negative predictive values and accuracy of each standard metastatic index were calculated. RESULTS: In the diagnosis of using single MR imaging criteria, the rim enhancement criteria had the highest positive predictive value, 0.95 and the size criteria showed the highest at negative predictive value, 0.77. The highest accurate criteria was heterogeneity with the accuracy of 0.81 and the lowest one was central necrosis with accuracy of 0.59. In the diagnosis of using neural network systems, the highest accurate standard metastatic index was 78, and that time, the accuracy was 0.90. Neural network system was more accurate than any other single MR imaging criteria in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Neural network system has been shown to be more useful than any other single MR imaging criteria. In future, Neural network system will be powerful aiding tool in evaluating cervical node metastasis.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Dissection ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Population Characteristics

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to quantitatively estimate the degree of the damage and recovery of the irradiated rat condylar cartilage using the Image Analyzer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental animals were 16 male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain at the age of 20 day irradiated with the dose of 10 Gy in their head and neck region. Four rats were sacrificed at the each of the
Animals ; Cartilage* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle* ; Neck ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tolonium Chloride

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the apoptosis induction in tissues constituting the craniofacial region of growing rat by irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The submandibular gland, brain, articular cartilage of condylar head, and calvarium were extracted from 20-day-old rats irradiated 10 Gy. Apoptosis of each tissue was examined by DNA fragmentation and estimated quantitatively using apoptotic index on TUNEL assay. Apoptotic index of each tissue was calculated by the equation for apoptotic cells/total cells X1,000 on the images of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Apoptotic index was analyzed statistically according to the time lapse after irradiation on the tissues. RESULTS: In the submandibular gland, apoptotic index was significantly increased from 6 hours after irradiation showing the highest value at 12 hours and decreased to the control level at 3 days after irradiation. In the brain, apoptotic index was abruptly reached to the maximum value at 6 hours after irradiation and decreased to the control level at 4 days after irradiation. Articular cartilage and calvarium showed no or little apoptotic signals. The results obtained by the apoptotic index accorded with that of DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: Radiation was closely related with the apoptosis of submandibular gland and brain but, not related with the apoptosis of the articular cartilage of condylar head and calvarium. The changes induced by radiation of the hard tissues would not be explained by apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain ; Cartilage, Articular ; DNA Fragmentation ; Head ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Rats* ; Skull ; Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE : To investigate the incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal using computed tomographic images of head and neck in Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Regardless of each examination purpose, randomly selected 268 examples which have serial axial computed tomographic images with 8 normal molars in maxilla and mandible were selected and investigated. Defined C-shaped root canal and we could get 82 proper image examples in view of this definition. These were detected and investigated of incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal. RESULTS : C-shaped root canals were found in 82 examples among 268 (30.6%) and 147 teeth. They were only found on molar area, and the highest incidence was 37.41% of left mandibular second molars, and the lowest was 2.04% of right maxillary second molars. On prevalence of tooth position, mandibular second molar was the highest, 65% of C-shaped root canal teeth and maxillary second molar was 6% the lowest. CONCLUSION : 31% of randomly selected CT images no considering check-up reason have C-shaped root canals. The C-shaped root canals of mandibular second molar are found most frequently and they are also detectable on maxilla. On Korean population, C-shaped root canals are one of conditions that have to concern with dental treatment for it appears at a high prevalence relatively.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Head ; Incidence ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Neck ; Prevalence ; Tooth