PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of estrogen on the expression of the alpha1 receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat urethra and bladder after oophorectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five mature female Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 10-11 weeks, 235-250 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control group, oophorectomy group (Opx), or oophorectomy and estradiol replacement group (Opx+ Est). The degree of expression of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and D) and NOS (neuronal NOS [nNOS] and endothelial NOS [eNOS]) in bladder and urethral tissues was investigated by using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the bladder, the expression rates of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and alpha1D) increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. The alpha1A and alpha1D receptor of the urethra decreased in the Opx group but increased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. In the bladder and urethra, the expression rates of nNOS and eNOS significantly increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that estrogen depletion increases NOS and alpha1 receptor expression in the rat bladder. However, these changes could be restored by estrogen replacement therapy.
Animals ; Collagen/metabolism ; Estradiol/analogs & derivatives/blood/pharmacology ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy/*methods ; Female ; Muscle, Smooth/pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase/*metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/*metabolism ; Urethra/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; Urinary Bladder/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology

It has been focused on the importance of the host inflammatory response in periodontal pathogenesis and progression, treatment has been introduced to control the host response and the method, which diminishes production and activity of MMP by doxycycline, has been used in periodontal field. MMP is a proteolytic enzyme which plays a major role in tissue destruction and MMP-1 is secreted in the periodontally healthy tissue, while MMP-8, 9, 13, etc in the inflammatory state. Among these, MMP-13 has been discovered lately and reported to degrade primarily type II collagen. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cell plays a role in destruction of periodontal tissue. This study was to evaluate the effect of doxycycline and mefenamic acid, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug on MMP-13 mRNA expression in the rat PDL cell. Doxycycline concentration of 1~100 microgram/ml was added rat PDL cell and cell activity was measured by MTT assay at day 1 and 3. MMP-13 gene expression was evaluated by RT-PCR after PDL cells were pre-treated for 1 hour with doxycycline (50 microgram/ml) alone or with mefenamic acid (10(-6)M), then added IL-1beta(1.0 ng/ml) and incubated for 16 -18 hours. The results are as follows: 1. Cell activity decreased significantly at 24 and 72 hours in 100 microgram/ml (p<0.05). 2. Level of MMP-13 mRNA was in 202% increase by IL-1beta and in pre-treating doxycycline group, expression of IL-1beta induced MMP-13 mRNA was inhibited by 31% than IL-1beta treated only. 3. Mefenamic acid did not inhibit on the expression of IL-1beta induced MMP-13 mRNA, while mefenamic acid in combination with doxycycline inhibited the expression by 41% compared to only IL-1beta stimulation. These results suggest that doxycycline synergistically inhibit the expression of IL-1beta induced MMP-13 mRNA in combination with mefenamic acid.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Collagen Type II ; Doxycycline* ; Gene Expression ; Mefenamic Acid* ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger*

PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in self-identity in patients diagnosed with strabismus, patients who underwent strabismus surgery, and healthy control individuals. METHODS: Self-identity testing was done during a military service physical examination. There were three subject groups: subjects with strabismus (group 1), subjects who had undergone corrective strabismus surgery (group 2), and subjects free of strabismus (group 3). The self-identity test was comprised of six sub-sections (subjectivity, self-acceptance, future confidence, goal orientation, initiative, and familiarity). Statistical significance of the sub-sections was compared across the three groups. Correlations in age at the time of surgery and across the six sub-sections were investigated in group 2. RESULTS: A total of 351 subjects were enrolled in the study; 96 subjects were in group 1, 108 subjects were in group 2, and 147 subjects were in group 3. Significant differences were evident in subjectivity, self-acceptance, initiative and familiarity between groups 1 and 3. No significant differences were found between groups 2 and 3. In group 2, statistical significance was evident between age at surgery and initiative and familiarity (r = −0.333, p < 0.001; r = −0.433, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Self-identity is greater in non-strabismus subjects than strabismus subjects. Correction of strabismus may increase self-identity levels.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Eye Movements/*physiology ; *Facial Expression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oculomotor Muscles/*physiopathology/surgery ; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; *Self Concept ; Strabismus/physiopathology/*psychology/surgery

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have greatly advanced and become a reality in many areas of our daily lives. In the health care field, numerous efforts are being made to implement the AI technology for practical medical treatments. With the rapid developments in machine learning algorithms and improvements in hardware performances, the AI technology is expected to play an important role in effectively analyzing and utilizing extensive amounts of health and medical data. However, the AI technology has various unique characteristics that are different from the existing health care technologies. Subsequently, there are a number of areas that need to be supplemented within the current health care system for the AI to be utilized more effectively and frequently in health care. In addition, the number of medical practitioners and public that accept AI in the health care is still low;moreover, there are various concerns regarding the safety and reliability of AI technologyimplementations. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce the current research and application status of AI technology in health care and discuss the issues that need to be resolved.