Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

Background: and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined. Results: The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies. Conclusions This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the immunosuppressants FK506 and cyclosporin A (CsA) on the osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: The effect of FK506 and CsA on rat MSCs was assessed in vitro. The MTT assay was used to determine the deleterious effect of immunosuppressants on stem cell proliferation at 1, 3, and 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was analyzed on days 3, 7, and 14. Alizarin red S staining was done on day 21 to check mineralization nodule formation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also performed to detect the expressions of bone tissue-specific genes on days 1 and 7. RESULTS: Cell proliferation was promoted more in the FK506 groups than the control or CsA groups on days 3 and 7. The FK506 groups showed increased ALP activity compared to the other groups during the experimental period. The ALP activity of the CsA groups did not differ from the control group in any of the assessments. Mineralization nodule formation was most prominent in the FK506 groups at 21 days. RT-PCR results of the FK506 groups showed that several bone-related genes-osteopontin, osteonectin, and type I collagen (Col-I)-were expressed more than the control in the beginning, but the intensity of expression decreased over time. Runx2 and Dlx5 gene expression were up-regulated on day 7. The effects of 50 nM CsA on osteonectin and Col-I were similar to those of the FK506 groups, but in the 500 nM CsA group, most of the genes were less expressed compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that FK506 enhances the osteoblastic differentiation of rat MSCs. Therefore, FK506 might have a beneficial effect on bone regeneration when immunosuppressants are needed in xenogenic or allogenic stem cell transplantation to treat bone defects.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; Bone Regeneration ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I ; Cyclosporine ; Durapatite ; Gene Expression ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Osteonectin ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; Tacrolimus

PURPOSE: Few reports have documented psychopathological abnormalities in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). We analyzed the results of a multiphasic personal inventory test to investigate the psychopathologic impact of PSP in young Korean males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the results of a Korean military multiphasic personal inventory (KMPI) administered to military conscripts in South Korea. A total of 234 young males participated in this study. The normal volunteer group (n=175) comprised individuals who did not have any lung disease. The PSP group (n=59) included individuals with PSP. None of the examinees had any psychological problems. The KMPI results of both groups were compared. RESULTS: There were more abnormal responses in the PSP group (17.0%) than the normal volunteer group (9.1%, p=0.002). The anxiety scale and depression scale scores of the neurosis category were greater for the PSP group than the normal group (p=0.039 and 0.014, respectively). The personality disorder and paranoia scale scores of the psychopathy category were greater for the PSP group than the normal group (p=0.007 and 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Young males with PSP may have greater tendencies to suffer from anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and paranoia compared to normal individuals. Clinicians should be advised to evaluate the psychopathological aspects of patients with PSP.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Male* ; Military Personnel ; Paranoid Disorders ; Personality Disorders ; Pneumothorax* ; Psychopathology

PURPOSE: This study was performed to establish an experimental rabbit model for single-stage maxillary sinus augmentation with simultaneous implant placement. METHODS: Twelve mature New Zealand white rabbits were used for the experiments. The rabbit maxillary sinuses were divided into 3 groups according to sinus augmentation materials: blood clot (BC), autogenous bone (AB), and bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA). Small titanium implants were simultaneously placed in the animals during the sinus augmentation procedure. The rabbits were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks after surgery and were observed histologically. Histomorphometric analyses using image analysis software were also performed to evaluate the parameters related to bone regeneration and implant-bone integration. RESULTS: The BC group showed an evident collapse of the sinus membrane and limited new bone formation around the original sinus floor at 4 and 8 weeks. In the AB group, the sinus membrane was well retained above the implant apex, and new bone formation was significant at both examination periods. The BHA group also showed retention of the elevated sinus membrane above the screw apex and evident new bone formation at both points in time. The total area of the mineral component (TMA) in the area of interest and the bone-to-implant contact did not show any significant differences among all the groups. In the AB group, the TMA had significantly decreased from 4 to 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, the rabbit sinus model showed satisfactory results in the comparison of different grafting conditions in single-stage sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement. We found that the rabbit model was useful for maxillary sinus augmentation with simultaneous implant placement.
Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Butylated Hydroxyanisole ; Dental Implants ; Durapatite ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Maxillary Sinus ; Membranes ; Models, Animal ; Osteogenesis ; Rabbits ; Retention (Psychology) ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Titanium ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Abdominal ultrasonography is useful for the detection and diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aims of this study were to establish a predictive model for the selection of subjects for abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of NAFLD and to assess validity of the model. METHODS: The subjects included 901 people who visited the health examination center of the Busan Medical Center. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses of potential risk factors to identify independent risk factors for NAFLD, and developed an index system. RESULTS: Four independent risk factors were identified. The index system was developed by assigning 1 clinical scoring point to approximately 0.7 logistic regression coefficients to each factor as follows: alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio >1.5 (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-4.07; P=0.010), 1 point; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase >50 (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.13-4.07; P=0.019), 1 point; triglyceride >150 mg/dL (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.24; P=0.015), 1 point; 23 kg/m2< or =BMI<25 kg/m2 (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 2.05-6.63; P<0.001), 2 points; and BMI 25 kg/m2 (OR, 7.65; 95% CI, 4.29-13.62; P<0.001), 3 points. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.797 (95% CI, 0.751-0.842), and when 3 points was used as a cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity were 71.7% and 75.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD can be predicted through the clinical application of the index system established herein. If abdominal ultrasonography is used for high-risk patients, NAFLD will be diagnosed and managed in its early stage.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Area Under Curve ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Body Mass Index ; Fatty Liver/*diagnosis/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of canine periodontal ligament stem cells on allogenic and xenogenic immune cells in vitro. METHODS: Mixed cell cultures consisting of canine stem cells (periodontal ligament stem cells and bone marrow stem cells) and allogenic canine/xenogenic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were established following the addition of phytohemagglutinin. The proliferation of PBMCs was evaluated using the MTS assay. The cell division of PBMCs was analyzed using the CFSE assay. The apoptosis of PBMCs was assessed using the trypan blue uptake method. RESULTS: Periodontal ligament stem cells and bone marrow stem cells inhibited the proliferation of allogenic and xenogenic PBMCs. Both periodontal ligament stem cells and bone marrow stem cells suppressed the cell division of PBMCs despite the existence of a mitogen. No significant differences in the percentages of apoptotic PBMCs were found among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Canine periodontal ligament stem cells have an immunomodulatory effect on allogenic and xenogenic PBMCs. This effect is not a product of apoptosis of PBMCs but is caused by the inhibition of cell division of PBMCs.
Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Division ; Diminazene ; Fluoresceins ; Humans ; Immunomodulation ; Ligaments ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells ; Succinimides ; Trypan Blue

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stemness of cells from canine dental tissues and bone marrow. METHODS:Canine periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC), alveolar bone stem cells (ABSC) and bone marrow stem cells(BMSC) were isolated and cultured. Cell differentiations (osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic) and surface antigens (CD146, STRO-1, CD44, CD90, CD45, CD34) were evaluated in vitro. The cells were transplanted into the subcutaneous space of nude mice to assess capacity for ectopic bone formation at 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: PDLSC, ABSC and BMSC differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes under defined condition. The cells expressed the mesenchymal stem cell markers differently. When transplanted into athymic nude mice, these three kinds of cells with hydroxyapatite /beta tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) carrier showed ectopic bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that canine dental stem cells have stemness like bone marrow stem cells. Transplantation of these cells might be used as a therapeutic approach for dental stem cell-mediated periodontal tissue regeneration.
Adipocytes ; Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium Phosphates ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; Durapatite ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Gene therapy (ex vivo) has recently been used as a means of delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to sites of tissue regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-transduction of adenoviruses expressing BMP-2 and BMP-7 on osteogenesisof C2C12 cells in vitro. METHODS: A replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) containing a cDNA for BMPs in the E1 region of the virus (Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7) was constructed by in vivo homologous recombination. Functional activity of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 were evaluated in mouse stromal cells (W20-17cells). C2C12 cells are transduced with various MOI (multiplicity of infection) of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 to assess most effective and stable titer. Based on this result, C2C12 cells were transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 alone or by combination. BMPs expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, cell proliferation, and mineralization were assessed. RESULTS: Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 are successfully transduced to W20-17 cells, and secreted BMPs stimulated cell differentiation. Also, C2C12 cells transduced with Ad5BMPs showed expression of BMPs and increased ALPaseactivity. In all groups, cell proliferation was observed over times. At 7days, cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 showed lower proliferation than the others. C2C12 cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 had greater ALPaseactivity than that would be predicted if effect of individual Ad5BMPs were additive. Little mineralized nodule formation was detected in cells transduced with individual Ad5BMPs. In contrast, Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 combination stimulated mineralization after culturing for 10 days in mineralizing medium. CONCLUSIONS: Present study demonstrated that adenoviruses expressing BMPs gene successfully produced BMPs protein and these BMPs stimulated cells to be differentiated into osteoblastic cells. In addition, the osteogenic activity of Ad5BMPs can be synergistically increased by co-transduction of cells with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviruses, Human ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; Durapatite ; Genetic Therapy ; Homologous Recombination ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration ; Stromal Cells ; Viruses