Syringobulbia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a fluid-filled cavity in the brainstem. In this study, clinical signs, features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the diseases present concurrently with syringobulbia were investigated in 33 small breed dogs. Most dogs (97%) had concurrent syringomyelia, and some dogs (24%) presented with vestibular or cranial nerve symptoms associated with the medulla oblongata. MRIs revealed slit-like, bulbous, and vertical linear shapes of the cavities on T2-weighted hyperintense and T1-weighted hypointense signals similar to the cerebrospinal fluid. Chiari-like malformations were identified in all dogs. This study highlights the association of syringobulbia with syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformations in small breed dogs with or without brainstem-associated clinical signs.

Hydrops describes the infant who has generalized edema due to accumulation of excess fluid. In severe case, massive edema with ascites and pleural and pericardial effusions are commonly combined. The main etiology of hydrops fetalis has been changed from immune type which is caused by fetomaternal blood group incompatibility to nonimmune type. Although cardiovascular diseases are the most common (23% to 38%) causes for nonimmune hydrops fetalis, fetal tumors still compromise 5% to 7% of the diseases. We report a case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis due to intraperitoneal hemangioma. The newborn infant was managed surgically and had excellent outcome.
Ascites ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Edema ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Pericardial Effusion

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement of periodontal health of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) diagnosed patients treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy accompanying systemic antibiotics administration. METHODS: Two patients with GAgP were chosen for this study. Clinical indices were taken and a radiographic examination was performed at the baseline of the study and they were treated by periodontal therapy accompanying systemic antibiotics administration. Post-surgical visits were scheduled at regular intervals to check clinical and radiographic changes. RESULTS: Through non-surgical periodontal therapy accompanying systemic antibiotics administration, GAgP patients showed decreased probing pocket depth, sulcus bleeding index, and increased attachment level and clinical index when comparing the initial and six month follow up data. In the six month follow-up radiographic examination after non-surgical periodontal therapy, resolution of the bony defect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical therapy combined with systemic antibiotics administration in GAgP patients is suggested to be an effective approach to enhance the periodontal health.
Aggressive Periodontitis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Periodontitis

The motor recovery mechanism of a 21-year-old male monoparetic patient with cerebral palsy, who had complained of a mild weakness on his right hand since infancy, was examined using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The patient showed mild motor impairment on the right hand. MRI located the main lesion on the left precentral knob of the brain. fMRI was performed on this patient as well as 8 control subjects using the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent technique at 1.5 T with a standard head coil. The motor activation task consisted of finger flexion- extension exercises at 1 Hz cycles. TMS was carried out using a round coil. The anterior portion of the coil was applied tangentially to the scalp at a 1.0 cm separation. Magnetic stimulation was carried out with the maximal output. The Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) from both Abductor Pollicis Brevis muscles (APB) were obtained simultaneously. fMRI revealed that the unaffected (right) primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1), which was centered on precentral knob, was activated by the hand movements of the control subjects as well as by the unaffected (left) hand movements of the patient. However, the affected (right) hand movements of the patient activated the medial portion of the injured precentral knob of the left SM1. The optimal scalp site for the affected (right) APB was located at 1 cm medial to that of the unaffected (left) APB. When the optimal scalp site was stimulated, the MEP characteristics from the affected (right) APB showed a delayed latency, lower amplitude, and a distorted figure compared with that of the unaffected (left) APB. Therefore, the motor function of the affected (right) hand was shown to be reorganized in the medial portion of the injured precentral knob.
Brain ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Exercise ; Fingers ; Hand ; Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Muscles ; Oxygen ; Scalp ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) at various concentrations on the apoptosis and mineralization of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. METHODS: hPDL cells were obtained from the mid-third of premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons, and a primary culture of hPDL cells was prepared using an explant technique. Groups of cells were divided according to the concentration of Dex (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 nM). A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed for evaluation of cellular viability, and alkaline phosphatase activity was examined for osteogenic differentiation of hPDL cells. Alizarin Red S staining was performed for observation of mineralization, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the evaluation of related genes. RESULTS: Increasing the Dex concentration was found to reduce cellular viability, with an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. Within the range of Dex concentrations tested in this study, 100 nM of Dex was found to promote the most vigorous differentiation and mineralization of hPDL cells. Dex-induced osteogenic differentiation and mineralization was accompanied by an increase in the level of osteogenic and apoptosis-related genes and a reduction in the level of antiapoptotic genes. The decrease in hPDL cellular viability by glucocorticoid may be explained in part by the increased prevalence of cell apoptosis, as demonstrated by BAX expression and decreased expression of the antiapoptotic gene, Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in hPDL cell differentiation rather than cellular viability at an early stage is likely to be a key factor in glucocorticoid induced mineralization. In addition, apoptosis might play an important role in Dex-induced tissue regeneration; however, further study is needed for investigation of the precise mechanism.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anthraquinones ; Apoptosis ; Bicuspid ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Survival ; Dexamethasone ; Durapatite ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; Prevalence ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

Ongoing advances in the treatment of very-low-birth-weight infants have confronted us with a growing number of infants susceptible to acquired illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract. Although necrotizing enterocolitis has been regarded as the major cause of gastrointestinal perforation in preterm infants, the incidence of spontaneous perforation occurred in an apparently normal bowel is increasing. The risk factors for spontaneous intestinal perforation include prematurity, twin pregnancies, perinatal asphyxia, prior use of umbilical artery catheter, use of indomethacin and/or steroid, and bacterial or fungal sepsis. We report a case of spontaneous ileal perforation occurred in very low birth weight infant who was successfully treated with emergency operation.
Asphyxia ; Catheters ; Emergencies ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Indomethacin ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Intestinal Perforation ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Umbilical Arteries

PURPOSE: Periodontal ligament (PDL) cell differentiation into osteoblasts is important in bone formation. Bone formation is a complex biological process and involves several tightly regulated gene expression patterns of bone-related proteins. The expression patterns of bone related proteins are regulated in a temporal manner both in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to observe the gene expression profile in PDL cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization in vitro. METHODS: PDL cells were grown until confluence, which were then designated as day 0, and nodule formation was induced by the addition of 50 microg/mL ascorbic acid, 10 mM beta-glycerophosphate, and 100 nM dexamethasone to the medium. The dishes were stained with Alizarin Red S on days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the detection of various genes on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21. RESULTS: On day 0 with a confluent monolayer, in the active proliferative stage, c-myc gene expression was observed at its maximal level. On day 7 with a multilayer, alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, and BMP-4 gene expression had increased and this was followed by maximal expression of osteocalcin on day 14 with the initiation of nodule mineralization. In relationship to apoptosis, c-fos gene expression peaked on day 21 and was characterized by the post-mineralization stage. Here, various genes were regulated in a temporal manner during PDL fibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix maturation, and mineralization. The gene expression pattern was similar. CONCLUSIONS: We can speculate that the gene expression pattern occurs during PDL cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. On the basis of these results, it might be possible to understand the various factors that influence PDL cell proliferation, extracellular matrix maturation, and mineralization with regard to gene expression patterns.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anthraquinones ; Apoptosis ; Ascorbic Acid ; Biological Processes ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Dexamethasone ; Durapatite ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Genes, fos ; Genes, myc ; Glycerophosphates ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Proteins ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcriptome

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare disease characterized by focal or diffuse eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach and duodenum. EGE has vague, nonspecific symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, ascites, and malabsorption. Here, we report a patient with EGE presenting with concurrent acute pancreatitis and ascites. A 68-year-old woman was admitted with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Laboratory findings revealed elevated serum titers of amylase, lipase, and peripheral blood eosinophil count. An abdominopelvic computed tomography scan showed a normal pancreas, moderate amount of ascites, and duodenal thickening. A esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed patchy erythematous mucosal lesions in the 2nd portion of the duodenum. Biopsies from the duodenum indicated eosinophilic infiltration in the lamina propria. The patient was successfully treated with prednisolone and montelukast. Despite its unusual occurrence, EGE may be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained acute pancreatitis, especially in a patient with duodenal edema on imaging or peripheral eosinophilia.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Ascites/*etiology ; Enteritis/*complications ; Eosinophilia/*complications ; Female ; Gastritis/*complications ; Humans ; Pancreatitis/*etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Periodontal surgery as part of the treatment of periodontal disease is mainly performed 1) to gain access to diseased areas for adequate cleaning; 2) to achieve pocket reduction or elimination; and 3) to restore the periodontal tissues lost through the disease; i.e., a new attachment formation of periodontal regeneration. To accomplish the latter, often referred to as the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy, a number of surgical procedures have been advocated throughout the years. Clinical studies have demonstrated that considerable gain of clinical attachment and bone can be achieved following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy of intrabony defects. The aim of this study was to analyse the radiographic bone changes 2-year after GTR using a bone graft material and nonresorbable membrane. Patients attending the department of periodontics of Kyungpook National University Hospital were studied. Patients had clinical and radiographic evidence of intrabony defect(s). 33 sites of 30 patients aged 32 to 56 (mean age 45.6) were treated by GTR with a bone graft material and nonresorbable membrane. Baseline and 2-year follow-up radiographs were collected and evaluated for this study. Radiographic assessment includes a bone fill, bone crest change, defect resolution, and % of defect resolution. Pre- and post-treatment differences between variables (maxilla and mandible, defect depth, defect angle, bone graft materials) using the paired t-test were examined. We observed 2.86+/-1.87mm of bone fill, 065+/-0.79mm of crestal resorption, 3.49+/-2.11mm of defect resolution, and 44.42+/-19.51% of percentage of defect resolution. Mandible, deeper initial defect depth, narrower initial defect angle showed greater bone fill, defect resolution, and % of defect resolution. But no difference was observed between xenograft and allograft. Outcome of GTR as a therapy of intrabony defect was better than other therapy, but herein, good oral hygiene maintenance as a anti-infective treatment and periodic recall check of patients are essential.
Allografts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Mandible ; Membranes ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontics ; Periodontitis ; Regeneration ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The nodal staging of the 5th edition of the Union Internationale Contra la Cancer (UICC) TNM classification in 1997 was changed based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes. We attempted to classify nodal status according to the number of involved lymph nodes and compare with the nodal staging of the 5th UICC TNM classification in order to evaluate the rationality of the new nodal staging system. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 427 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative resection from 1993 to 1996 at the Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine. Cumulative survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The difference between each nodal status was evaluated by the log rank test and the generalized Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: There were statistical differences between 0 and 1 lymph node involved, between 7 and 8, and between 15 and 16. We classified the nodal status into 4 groups according to the number of involved lymph nodes based on the following: group 1 with no lymph node involved, group 2 with 1~7, group 3 with 8~15 and group 4 with more than 15. There was a significant survival difference among the 4 groups with no survival difference between the number of positive lymph nodes in each group. We compare our results with the nodal staging of the UICC TNM classification and found that there were differences between group 2 (1~7 positive lymph nodes) and pN1 of TNM (1~6 positive lymph nodes) and between group 3 (8~15) and pN2 (7~15). CONCLUSION: We were able to classify nodal status into 4 groups according to the number of involved lymph nodes. There was little difference compared with the new nodal staging of the 5th UICC TNM classification, which suggested that the nodal classification of the UICC TNM classification based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes is acceptable. Further analysis of a larger sample size may be necessary.
Classification* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate