Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. The glandular dysfunction in SS involves not only T cell-mediated destruction of the glands but also autoantibodies against the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor or aquaporin 5 (AQP5) that interfere with the secretion process. Studies on the breakage of tolerance and induction of autoantibodies to these autoantigens could benefit SS patients. To break tolerance, we utilized a PmE-L peptide derived from the AQP5-homologous aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica (PmAqp) that contained both a B cell “E” epitope and a T cell epitope. Repeated subcutaneous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the PmE-L peptide efficiently induced the production of Abs against the “E” epitope of mouse/human AQP5 (AQP5E), and we aimed to characterize the antigen specificity, the sequences of AQP5Especific B cell receptors, and salivary gland phenotypes of these mice. Sera containing anti-AQP5E IgG not only stained mouse Aqp5 expressed in the submandibular glands but also detected PmApq and PmE-L by immunoblotting, suggesting molecular mimicry.Characterization of the AQP5E-specific autoantibodies selected from the screening of phage display Ab libraries and mapping of the B cell receptor repertoires revealed that the AQP5E-specific B cells acquired the ability to bind to the Ag through cumulative somatic hypermutation. Importantly, animals with anti-AQP5E Abs had decreased salivary flow rates without immune cell infiltration into the salivary glands. This model will be useful for investigating the role of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in glandular dysfunction in SS and testing new therapeutics targeting autoantibody production.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little research has been done to evaluate the effect of stress in exacerbating the symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We aimed to investigate the effect of acute stress on esophageal motility and GER parameters in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 10 (M:F = 8:2, median age 34 years-old) healthy volunteers without any recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms participated in this study. They underwent esophageal high-resolution manometry with 10 wet swallows (Experiment I) and esophageal impedance-pH monitoring (Experiment II) in the basal period and in the stress period. In the stress period, either real stress or sham stress was given in a randomized cross-over design. The stress scores, symptom severity, and pulse rates were measured. RESULTS: The stress scores and the severity of nausea were significantly greater under real stress, compared with sham stress. The percentages of weak, failed, rapid, premature, and hyper-contractile contractions were not significantly altered during real stress and during sham stress, compared with the basal period. The median resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter and distal contractile integral of esophageal contractions did not differ in the stress period, compared with the basal period. Contractile front velocity and distal latency of esophageal peristaltic contractions were significantly changed during real stress, which was not observed during sham stress. GER parameters were not significantly altered during real stress and during sham stress. CONCLUSION: Although acute auditory and visual stress seems to affect esophageal body motility, it does not induce significant motor abnormalities or increase GER in healthy humans.
Cross-Over Studies ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Humans* ; Manometry ; Nausea ; Swallows

This study was conducted to determine if humoral antibody response of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine improved in 8-week-old growing pigs born to well-vaccinated sows pre-treated with 60 mg of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) three days before vaccination. Antibody against FMD virus serotype O was measured 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-vaccination, using a PrioCHECK FMDV type O ELISA kit. The results showed that positive antibody reactions against FMDV serotype O antigen among a component of the vaccine significantly increased in response to pre-injection with γ-PGA.
Animals ; Antibody Formation* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus* ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease* ; Immunity, Humoral ; O Antigens ; Serogroup ; Swine* ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to demonstrate the radiologic and clinical results of using the Asian type gamma 3 nail in treatment of trochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent operations with gamma 3 nails between August 2010 and August 2012. For the radiologic evaluation, we analyzed bone quality, fracture pattern, reduction quality, union period, and position of lag screw (tip-apex distance, Cleveland index). For the clinical evaluation, we analyzed mobility score of Palmer and Parker and Jensen's functional score. RESULTS: The mean union was taken at 17.4 weeks (14-25 weeks). Two cases (4.3%) underwent reoperation due to cutting out of the hip screws. The clinical outcomes of Parker and Palmer's average mobility score changed from 7.3 to 5.8 (79%), Jensen's functional score was 1.3 to 1.8 (72%). CONCLUSION: We achieved excellent clinical and radiological outcomes; therefore, Asian type gamma 3 nail is effective in treatment of trochanteric fractures of the femur in Korea.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Femur ; Hip ; Hip Fractures* ; Humans ; Korea ; Reoperation

Vitamin D is an important hormone that can be a role of bone and calcium metabolism in the human organ. Thus, vitamin D deficiency could contribute to the severity of metabolic bone disease. The osteomalacia, one of the metabolic bone diseases, is the softening of the bones caused by defective bone mineralization secondary to inadequate amounts of available phosphorus and calcium. We experienced a case of osteomalacia presented with walking disturbance, 30 year-old young aged man, caused by vitamin D deficiency due to strict vegetarian diet and lack of sunlight exposures.
Aged ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Diet, Vegetarian ; Humans ; Male ; Osteomalacia ; Phosphorus ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Walking ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the occupational risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in public workers. METHODS: In November 2010, 544 participants anwered a survey that included questions on the participants' general characteristics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, and psychosocial stress. We measured the relationship of risk factors to musculoskeletal symptoms using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for general characteristics, factors associated with occupational musculoskeletal symptoms were gender (OR=2.858, 95% CI=1.701~4.801), unnatural posture (OR=2.386, 95% CI=1.308~4.354), psychosocial stress (OR=4.051, 95% CI=1.336~12.282) and sleep quality (OR=1.672, 95% CI=1.052~2.660). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that psychosocial stress levels and physical environment (especially in professions requiring an unnatural posture) are related to musculoskeletal symptoms in public workers.
Logistic Models ; Posture ; Risk Factors

Paget disease is a well-documented skeletal disease and it has an increased rate of tissue breakdown due to the excessive turnover of osteoblasts and osteclasts. Stress fracture is one of the most common complications in the late phase of Paget disease, but the clinical presentation of incomplete pathologic fracture is rare and this is an important clue to plan the treatment. We experienced a case of Paget's disease in a 74 year old woman with a periprosthetic fracture from the undetected, imcomplete stress fracture in the proximal femur.
Female ; Femur ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Fractures, Stress ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Periprosthetic Fractures

Bilateral avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercles are extremely rare. There is no case report about this in Korean literature. We present simultaneous bilateral tibial tuberosity fractures in 14-year-old adolescent male fell on the ground during running. These fractures were managed by open reduction and screw fixation. We gained complete union and removed metal after 6 months. Functional results were excellent 6 month after surgical treatment.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Male ; Running

PURPOSE: Too develop a flexible drill device that can be inserted into the shoulder joint so that arthroscopic transosseous suture repair for Bankart lesion is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created a device composed of a flexible drill unit and a guide pipe unit. The flexible drill unit was made of flexible multifilament wires (1.2 mm in diameter) that was twisted into one cord so that it can flex in any direction and a drill bit (1.2 mm in diameter) that is attached onto one end of the flexible wire. The guide pipe unit was a 150 mm long metal pipe (2.0 mm in inner diameter and 3.0 mm in outer diameter), with one end bent to 30 degrees. The flexible drill set was inserted into the shoulder joint through the posterior portal of the joint. The guide pipe component was placed onto the medial wall of the glenoid so that the pipe was placed 5 mm posterior to the margin of the anterior glenoid rim. The flexible drill was driven through the glenoid by the power drill so that holes were made in the glenoid. A non-absorbable suture was passed through the hole. Tying of a sliding knot tying was accomplished over the capsule and labrum after making a stitch through the capsule and labrum with a suture hook loaded with suture passer. The same procedures were done at the 2 and 4 O'Clock positions of the glenoid. RESULTS: Five cases with Bankart lesion received arthroscopic transosseous repair with our flexible drill device. There were no intraoperative problems. Neither redislocation nor subluxation was reported at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic transosseous suture repair without suture anchors and easy tying of a sliding knot are possible with a flexible drill set.
Follow-Up Studies ; Isothiocyanates ; Joints ; Mandrillus ; Shoulder Joint ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of work departments, carotid IMT, and plaque formation as predictors of cardiovascular disease in white-collar and blue-collar workers. METHOD: A total of 201 workers from a metal agricultural equipment manufacturing plant near Daegu were administered questionnaires to obtain information on their general characteristics, their work-related factors. In addition, the workers were given a clinical examination, which included a carotid artery ultrasonography. In total, 193 (96.0%) of questionnaires were completed and analyzed for this study. Multiple regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed on the data for analysis. RESULT: Blue-collar workers had thicker carotid artery IMT when compared to white-collar workers. After adjustment, the carotid IMT was affected by age, working department, hypertension, and diabetes; plaque formation was affected by age, hypertension, total cholesterol, and excessive drinking. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that carotid IMT is associated with working department. Therefore, we need to examine the effect that occupational health services has on cardiovascular disease, focusing on the characteristics of each department.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cholesterol ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Occupational Health Services ; Plants ; Questionnaires