PURPOSE: Ionizing radiations have been reported as an apoptosis initiating stimulus in various cells and it has established that sustained elevations in [Ca2+] can lead to DNA fragmentation by Ca2+-dependent endonucleases, ultimately resulting in apoptotic cell death. The previous experiments have been reported by using primarily thymocytes and lymphocytes and the change of [Ca2+] was measured only by minutes or hours respectively. We need to evaluate [Ca2+] in both several minutes and hours after irradiation of radiation of radiation therapy and verify the apoptotic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have measured [Ca2+] in human gingival epitheloid cancer cell with 10 Gy irradiation, at minutely intervals and hourly intervals using digitized video-intensified fluorescence microscopy and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye, fura-2. In order to find out that the transient rise in [Ca2+] could induced apoptosis, cells were incubated for 1 hour at 37 degrees C with TdT enzyme, rinsed and resuspended containing fluorescence and observed under a confocal fluorescence microscope. MTT assay was done to determine cell activity and LDH assay was done to determine the amount of necrotic cells. RESULTS: After irradiation, the transient and temporal increasing of [Ca2+] in the KB cells was founded. Though, there was no change in the intracellular [Ca2+] at 30 minutes and 2 hours after irradiation. We could detect of DNA fragmented cells at 4 hours after 10 Gy irradiated cells. There were no significant differences between 4 hour, 1 day, 3 day cells. There were no significant differences in MTT and LDH assay between the irradiated group and the control group after 4 hours and 1 day. Though after 3 days there were differences in MTT and LDH assay between the irradiated group was significantly decreased than the control group, in LDH assay the number of necrotic cell death of the irradiated was higher than the control group. CONCLUSION: In KB cells there were incipient and temporal increasing of the [Ca2+] with 10 Gy irradiation and the apoptosis was founded from 4 hours later which was earlier than seeing of the change of the amount of the cellular ability and necrosis.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Endonucleases ; Fluorescence ; Fura-2 ; Humans ; KB Cells* ; Lymphocytes ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Necrosis ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Thymocytes

Purpose: This study aims to measure the mandibular movement using JT-3D system and provide a range of mandibular movement that can serve as a good reference for diagnosing the temporomandibular disorder. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 60 young male and female adults. The maximum opening and closing movement was recorded using JT-3D system, and by regarding 5 times of repetitive movement as 1 cycle of movement, total 3 cycles of movement were recorded. During the maximum opening, vertical position of lower jaw, antero-posterior position, lateral deflection position, and maximum opening distance were recorded. To evaluate the reproducibility of JT-3D system, statistical analysis were conducted (α = 0.05). Results: During the maximum opening, the average value appeared at 31.56 mm vertically and 24.42 mm rearwardly, lateral deflection position 0.72 mm, and maximum opening distance 40.32 mm. There was no statistical significance in all measured values for three cycles of movement recorded with JT-3D system (P > 0.05). Conclusion During the maximum opening, the average value appeared at 0.72 mm in lateral deflection position and the maximum opening distance at 40.32 mm, and the analysis on the maximum opening of lower jaw using JT-3D system showed sufficiently reproducible results.

Congenital anomalies or normal variants of the pancreatic duct are in most cases asymptomatic and are found incidentally while conducting imaging studies (such as a MRCP and a CT scan) for other reasons. The frequency of pancreatic duct variants has been reported to be about 9% of the general population; the most common type is a bifid configuration of the major and minor pancreatic ducts. Though most patients with pancreatic duct variants do not have any symptoms, a small number may develop jaundice or gallstones. By reporting the case of a patient with a variant pancreatic duct who developed acute pancreatitis after undergoing screening endoscopy and biopsy, this study aims to warn of the possible risks of screening endoscopy or biopsy in the second portion of the duodenum.
Biopsy ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Mass Screening ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma is a rare histologic variant of ameloblastoma. It shows important differences in anatomic distribution, histologic appearance, and radiographic findings compared with the general type of ameloblastoma. It is histologically characterized by an abundance of densely collagenous stroma and radiographically a mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesion. We present three cases of desmoplastic ameloblastoma. All the patients complained on buccal swelling with or without pain and the sites of occurrence were the anterior and the premolar region. Plain radiographs showed mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesion with ill-defined or diffuse sclerotic margin and no external root resorption. Additionally, CT scans revealed buccal expansion and relatively well-defined margin of the lesions. The clinical and radiographic features of the presented cases were compared with those of the desmoplastic ameloblastoma in the previous literatures.
Ameloblastoma* ; Bicuspid ; Collagen ; Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Root Resorption ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic ability in differentiating between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst according to the imaging modalities and observers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated thirty-six cases of ameloblastomas and forty-seven cases of odontogenic keratocysts all histologically confirmed. Six oral and maxillofacial radiologists diagnosed the lesions by 3 methods: using panoramic radiograph, using computed tomograph (CT), and using panoramic radiograph and CT. The observers were classified by 3 groups: group 1 had experienced over 10 years in oral and maxillofacial radiologic field, group 2 had experienced for 3-4 years, and group 3 was in the process of residentship. After over 2 weeks, the observers diagnosed them by the same methods. RESULTS: The ROC curve areas except for group 3 were the highest with interpretation using panoramic radiograph and CT, followed by interpretation using CT only, and the lowest with interpretation using panoramic radiograph only. The overall difference was not found in diagnostic ability among groups in using panoramic radiograph only, but there was difference in diagnostic ability of group 1 and 2 vs 3 in using CT only, and combination panoramic radiograph and CT. CONCLUSIONS: To differentiate between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst more accurately, the experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologist should diagnose with combination of panoramic radiograph and CT.
Ameloblastoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Odontogenic Cysts* ; ROC Curve

Without significant coronary artery stenosis, ischemic electrocardiographic change including ST segment elevation, segmental wall motion abnormality and elevated serum cardiac-specific markers (creatine kinase-MB, Troponin-T) may develop after central nervous system injuries such as subarachnoid, intracranial or subdural hemorrhage. Misdiagnosing these patients as acute myocardial infarction may result in catastrophic outcomes. By reporting a case of a 55-year old female with subarachnoid hemorrhage mimicking acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, we hope to underline that careful attention of neurologic abnormality is critical in making better prognosis.
Central Nervous System ; Coronary Stenosis ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prognosis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The red-blood-cell distribution width (RDW) is a newly recognized risk marker in patients with cardiovascular disease, but its role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well defined. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between RDW values and the level of fibrosis in NAFLD according to BARD and FIB-4 scores. METHODS: This study included 24,547 subjects who had been diagnosed with NAFLD based on abdominal ultrasonography and questionnaires about alcohol consumption. The degree of liver fibrosis was determined according to BARD and FIB-4 scores. The association between RDW values and the degree of fibrosis in NAFLD was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, hemoglobin level, mean corpuscular volume, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the RDW values were 12.61+/-0.41% (mean+/-SD), 12.70+/-0.70%, 12.77+/-0.62%, 12.87+/-0.82%, and 13.25+/-0.90% for those with BARD scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and 12.71+/-0.72%, 12.79+/-0.66%, and 13.23+/-1.52% for those with FIB-4 scores of <1.30, 1.31-2.66, and > or =2.67, respectively (P<0.05). The prevalence of advanced fibrosis (BARD score of 24 and FIB-4 score of > or =1.3) increased with the RDW [BARD score: 51.1% in quartile 1 (Q1) vs. 63.6% in Q4; FIB-4 score: 6.9% in Q1 vs. 10.5% in Q4; P<0.001]. After adjustments, the odds ratio of having advanced fibrosis for those in Q4 compared to Q1 were 1.76 (95%CI=1.55-2.00, P<0.001) relative to BARD score and 1.69 (95%CI=1.52-1.98, P<0.001) relative to FIB-4 score. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated RDW is independently associated with advanced fibrosis in NAFLD.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus/pathology ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Fatty Liver/complications/*diagnosis/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Severity of Illness Index

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The benefits and risks of concomitant immunomodulators with infliximab maintenance therapy in patients with luminal Crohn's disease (CD) have not been adequately evaluated. We studied the influence of immunomodulator discontinuation in patients in remission with infliximab therapy through a restrospective case-control study. METHODS: Medical records of 37 patients with luminal CD who received infliximab at four medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. We compared clinical and follow-up data of patients who were treated with infliximab alone with that of patients with combination therapy. RESULTS: Among 37 patients, 31 (83.7%) were treated with infliximab plus azathioprine and six (16.2%) were treated with infliximab alone. Of the 31 patients receiving combination maintenance therapy, 26 (83.9%) were in complete remission after 12 months, as compared with five of six patients (83.3%) receiving infliximab alone. No significant difference was observed in remission rate between two groups (P=0.735). In total, 16.1% of patients in combination therapy and 16.7% in infliximab alone group reported side effects (P=1.000), but serious adverse events such as reactivation of tuberculosis were noted in only one patient in combination therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant immunomodulators did not improve efficacy in patients with luminal CD who received scheduled infliximab maintenance.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Azathioprine ; Case-Control Studies ; Crohn Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Immunologic Factors ; Medical Records ; Phenobarbital ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio (ApoB/A-I) is a powerful clinical indicator of atherosclerosis. Although numerous reports have shown the effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on cardiovascular disease, few reports have examined the relationship between NAFLD and the ApoB/A-I ratio. The aim of the study was to determine the association between NAFLD and the ApoB/A-I ratio in prediabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with data obtained from 701 patients (mean age, 47.9+/-9.6 years) diagnosed with prediabetes. Serum lipid profiles including lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and calculated ApoB/A-I ratio as well as metabolic syndrome parameters such as fasting glucose and insulin were measured in each subject. RESULTS: Among the 701 patients, 340 (48%) had NAFLD. The number of male patients was 490 (NAFLD+, 276; and NAFLD-, 214). The odds ratios for the prevalence of NAFLD increased according to the quartiles of the ApoB/A-I ratio (1.886, 2.245, and 2.587) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD correlated with high ApoB/A-I ratio, suggesting that NAFLD increases the risk for atherosclerosis progression in male prediabetic patients.
Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoproteins ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prediabetic State ; Prevalence