The surgical outcomes of anterior segmental osteotomy in Asian skeletal class II patients

PURPOSE

Anterior segmental osteotomy (ASO) following the surgery-first approach is a long-established treatment modality to resolve lip protrusion in patients with skeletal class II patterns. However, the indications and effectiveness of ASO still remain uncertain. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ASO in Asian skeletal class II patients by evaluating the skeletal and soft tissue changes and analyzing pre-treatment variables that determine successful outcomes in occlusal as well as esthetic aspects.

METHODS

The lateral cephalograms of 44 skeletal class II patients who underwent ASO and orthodontic treatment for resolving lip protrusion were retrospectively collected. Hard and soft tissue variables of two groups, normalized (NG) and unnormalized (UNG) ANB after treatment were compared and analyzed. The rotational effect of the anterior segment on the hard and soft tissue was also investigated.

RESULTS

ASO was successful in correcting the skeletal class II relationship and lip protrusion (ΔANB - 2.3°, 4-5 mm lips retraction) in most cases. However, for patients with severely camouflaged skeletal class II incisors involving a large ANB and SNA, a large ANB still remained post-treatment. The study also found that rotation of the upper and lower anterior segments further augmented the amount of lip retraction.

CONCLUSIONS

ASO was found to successfully correct ANB of skeletal class II patients under the following conditions (ANB 5.3° ± 1.5°, SNB 77.3° ± 4.5°, U1 to FH 115° ± 7.5, L1 to FH 48.0° ± 4.6). However, patients with larger ANB and SNA values may require bi-maxillary surgery. In addition, ASO has limitations in correcting gummy smile in cases of extreme maxillary excess. For patients requiring a large amount of lip retraction, rotation of the anterior segment may be beneficial in conjunction with bi-maxillary surgery.

The prediction of sagittal chin point relapse following two-jaw surgery using machine learning

The study aimed to identify critical factors associated with the surgical stability of pogonion (Pog) by applying machine learning (ML) to predict relapse following two-jaw orthognathic surgery (2 J-OGJ). The sample set comprised 227 patients (110 males and 117 females, 207 training and 20 test sets). Using lateral cephalograms taken at the initial evaluation (T0), pretreatment (T1), after (T2) 2 J-OGS, and post treatment (T3), 55 linear and angular skeletal and dental surgical movements (T2-T1) were measured. Six ML modes were utilized, including classification and regression trees (CART), conditional inference tree (CTREE), and random forest (RF). The training samples were classified into three groups; highly significant (HS) (≥ 4), significant (S) (≥ 2 and < 4), and insignificant (N), depending on Pog relapse. RF indicated that the most important variable that affected relapse rank prediction was ramus inclination (RI), CTREE and CART revealed that a clockwise rotation of more than 3.7 and 1.8 degrees of RI was a risk factor for HS and S groups, respectively. RF, CTREE, and CART were practical tools for predicting surgical stability. More than 1.8 degrees of CW rotation of the ramus during surgery would lead to significant Pog relapse.

The Lower Lip Profile Change During Total Distalization of the Mandibular Dentition

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the lower lip profile during Class III lower total arch distalization camouflage treatment.

Methods

The cohort included 45 patients diagnosed with skeletal class III malocclusion. These patients underwent camouflage orthodontic treatment with lower arch total distalization. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the pretreatment and posttreatment stages. Cephalometric measurements were analyzed to unravel the influencing factors of the lower lip profile. This study defined new variables, i.e., CK and CKA, for detailed soft tissue analysis.

Results

Novel soft tissue measurements presented in this study showed statistically significant changes after treatment. The CK angle and L1 to A Pog, L1 to NB, and IMPA were statistically correlated. Simple regression analysis was performed between variables. The formula was ΔCKA = 0.79(Δ L1 to NB) -1.6, and multiple regression resulted in ΔCKA = 0.5(Δ L1 to NB) – 0.42 (‘LL to Eline’, before treatment).

Conclusion

The present study provided evidence that the lower lip evaluations, including the novel CKA and CKHA, were significantly related to the mandibular incisor position during total distalization of the mandibular dentition. The results demonstrated that clinically significant lip retraction could be obtained. Therefore, non-extraction with distalization must be suggested as the first treatment option in mild skeletal class III malocclusion patients.

Stability of clockwise rotation of the maxillary occlusal plane by two‐jaw surgery in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate the post-surgical stability of clockwise rotation of the maxillary occlusal plane (MXOP) after Le Fort I osteotomy for posterior impaction and advancement, in skeletal Class III patients who had undergone two-jaw orthognathic surgery (2J-OGS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample set consisted of 46 patients (18 males and 28 females). Using lateral cephalograms taken at the initial evaluation (T0), before 2J-OGS (T1), after 2J-OGS (T2) and at debonding (T3), the amount of MXOP change (criterion: 2° in ΔMXOP [between T2 and T3]) was used to assign patients to Group 1 (G1, high relapse, -3.09°) or Group 2 (G2, low relapse, -0.99°). Findings were statistically compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Compared with G2, G1 exhibited more severe skeletal Class III relationships and a flatter MXOP at T0, a greater increase in ΔANB, and more clockwise rotation of ΔMXOP and ΔFMA between T1 and T2. G1 also showed a greater decrease in ΔANB, higher counterclockwise rotation of ΔMXOP and upward movement of U1 between T2 and T3. Regression analysis yielded the following equation: MXOP (ΔT2-T3) = -0.37 X MXOP (ΔT1-T2) -0.43.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher the clockwise rotation of the MXOP during 2J-OGS in skeletal Class III patients, the greater the subsequent relapse (counterclockwise rotation) of the MXOP.

Heritability of maxillary dental cephalometric variables among monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins and their siblings

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the heritability of dental cephalometric variables by analyzing vertical linear measurements and angular measurements of the upper incisor, canine, and first molar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among the 553 Korean patients who participated in twin studies conducted at Samsung Medical Center, 150 patients had their lateral cephalometric radiograph data included in this study. The group was comprised of 36 monozygotic (MZ) twins (males, 16 pairs; females, 20 pairs), 13 dizygotic (DZ) twins (males, 7 pairs; females, 6 pairs), and 26 same-sex sibling pairs (males, 11 pairs; females, 15 pairs). All patients were over 20 years old with a mean age of 39.75 years. Lateral cephalometric diagrams and linear measurements (6 vertical factors, 6 horizontal factors) were taken. Three axial planes were measured for each tooth; intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were obtained for each group and heritability was calculated using Falconer's method.

RESULTS

ICCs of vertical linear measurements (average 0.837, P < 0.01) and the tooth axis of the central incisor and canine (average 0.679, P < 0.001) were higher in the MZ group compared to the DZ and sibling groups; thus, these variables showed high heritability.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthodontic treatment aiming to alter the tooth axis of the maxillary central incisor or canine or other vertical factors with greater heritability can be difficult, requiring strategic treatment planning to achieve desired treatment outcome and stability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The active early treatment to gain tooth eruption space can lead to normal tooth position.

Alveolar bone changes after molar protraction in young adults with missing mandibular second premolars or first molars

OBJECTIVES

To assess the changes in alveolar bone of the mandibular second molars following molar protraction and investigate the factors associated with the alveolar bone changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography of 29 patients (mean age 22.0 ± 4.2 years) who had missing mandibular premolars or first molars and underwent molar protraction were reviewed. Alveolar bone level was measured as the distance from the cementoenamel junction at six points, buccal, lingual, mesiobuccal (MB), mesiolingual (ML), distobuccal (DB), and distolingual (DL), of the second molars at pretreatment (T0) and after molar protraction (T1). Factors associated with alveolar bone changes at the distal and mesial of the second molars were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean alveolar bone changes ranged from -1.2 mm (bone apposition) to 0.8 mm (bone resorption). The presence of a third molar impaction at T0 (P < .001), third molar angulation at T0 (P < .001), and Nolla's stage of third molar at T0 (P = .005) were significantly associated with alveolar bone level changes distal to the second molars. Treatment duration (P = .028) was significantly associated with alveolar bone level changes mesial to the second molar.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with impacted third molars, third molars at an earlier stage of development, and mesially angulated third molars at pretreatment may have less alveolar bone resorption distal to the second molars following protraction. Patients with increased treatment time may have reduced alveolar bone resorption mesial to the second molars.

Midfacial soft tissue changes after maxillary expansion using micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expanders in young adults: A retrospective study

Objective

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the midfacial soft tissue changes following maxillary expansion using micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expanders (MSEs) in young adults by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the correlations between hard and soft tissue changes after MSE usage.

Methods

Twenty patients (mean age, 22.4 years; range, 17.6–27.1) with maxillary transverse deficiency treated with MSEs were selected. Mean expansion amount was 6.5 mm. CBCT images taken before and after expansion were superimposed to measure the changes in soft and hard tissue landmarks. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test and Pearson’s correlation analysis on the basis of the normality of data.

Results

Average lateral movement of the cheek points was 1.35 mm (right) and 1.08 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 1.03 mm (right) and 1.02 mm (left). Average forward displacement of the cheek points was 0.59 mm (right) and 0.44 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 0.61 mm (right) and 0.77 mm (left) (p < 0.05). Anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), and alveolar bone width showed significant increments (p < 0.05). Changes in the cheek and alar curvature points on both sides significantly correlated with hard tissue changes (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Maxillary expansion using MSEs resulted in significant lateral and forward movements of the soft tissues of cheek and alar curvature points on both sides in young adults and correlated with the maxillary suture opening at the ANS and PNS.

Pharyngeal Airway Morphology in Skeletal Class III With Mandibular Asymmetry is Improved After Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery

PURPOSE

The relationship between pharyngeal airway morphology and jawbone movements in skeletal Class III patients with mandibular asymmetry after orthognathic surgery remains unclear. This study was to measure the changes in pharyngeal airway morphology in skeletal Class III patients with mandibular asymmetry after bimaxillary surgery and evaluate associations between changes in pharyngeal airway morphology and skeletal movements.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, skeletal Class III patients who underwent bimaxillary surgery were enrolled. The predictor variable was facial symmetry status divided into 2 groups, asymmetric (Group A) and symmetric (Group B). The primary outcome variables were changes in airway parameters, including cross-sectional linear distances, cross-sectional area (CSA), minimum CSA (Min-CSA), and volume; and airway asymmetry index between the preoperative and 6-month postoperative imaging studies. Correlation analysis was performed between upper airway and skeletal changes.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were included in this study, with 15 patients in Group A (mean age: 23.00 years; BMI: 22.83) and 10 patients in Group B (mean age: 22.30 years; BMI: 22.48). Group A showed a higher asymmetry index than Group B at T0; however, no significant differences compared to Group B at T1. The airway volume was significantly decreased in the oropharynx in Group A at T1, whereas it showed no significant differences in Group B (P < .05). Lateral movement of B point and Menton showed positive correlations with changes in Min-CSA in the oropharynx and negative correlations with changes in airway asymmetry index (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharyngeal airway exhibited an asymmetrical and constricted morphology in Group A before surgery. The airway morphology in Group A showed a tendency to adopt a symmetrical and less constricted shape after surgery. The airway space was reduced in the oropharynx in Group A after surgery. Surgical correction of mandibular asymmetry correlated with the improvement of pharyngeal airway morphology.

Twin study-genetic comparison of matrix versus intramatrix rotation in the mandible and three different occlusal planes

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to investigate the heritability of total rotation, matrix rotation, and intramatrix rotation of the mandible in Korean monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, and their siblings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The samples consisted of 75 pairs of Korean twins (39.7 + 9.26 years; MZ group, 36 pairs; DZ group, 13 pairs; sibling group, 26 pairs). Lateral cephalograms were taken, and 13 variables related to internal and external mandible rotation were measured. Three types of occlusal planes (bisected occlusal plane, functional occlusal plane, and the MM bisector occlusal plane) were used to evaluate genetic influence on the occlusal plane. Heritability (h²) was calculated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Falconer's method.

RESULTS

With regard to mandibular rotation, the MZ twin group showed significantly higher ICC values compared to the DZ twin and sibling groups. The ICC mean values for 13 cephalometric measurements were 0.85 (MZ), 0.62 (DZ), and 0.52 (siblings) respectively. The heritability of the total rotation (0.48) and matrix rotation (0.5) between the MZ and DZ groups was higher than that of the intramatrix rotation (- 0.14). All of the three types of occlusal plane showed high heritability, and among the three types, the functional occlusal plane showed the highest heritability (h² = 0.76).

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings that showed a strong genetic effect on total rotation and matrix rotation, maintaining these rotations should be carefully considered in the orthodontic treatment plan, while the lower border of the mandible may be responsive to various treatments. Occlusal plane change, especially with regard to the functional occlusal plane, may not be stable due to strong genetic influences.

A study on the morphologic change of palatal alveolar bone shape after intrusion and retraction of maxillary incisors

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in the palatal alveolar bone thickness and find the factors related to the resorption of the palatal alveolar bone caused by tooth movement after the maxillary incisors were retracted and intruded during orthodontic treatment. The study group comprised of 33 skeletal Class II malocclusion patients who underwent extraction for orthodontic treatment. Palatal alveolar bone thickness changes and resorption factors were identified and analyzed. The changes of maxillary central incisors and palatal alveolar bone thickness were measured, and the corresponding sample t test was performed using SPSS (IBM SPSS version 22). The amount of palatal alveolar bone resorption was measured and various parameters were analyzed to determine which factors affected it. Correlation analysis adopting the amount of palatal alveolar bone resorption as a dependent variable demonstrated that the SNB, mandibular plane angle, and the inclination of the maxillary central incisor were significantly correlated with before treatment. On the other hand, mandibular plane angle, angle of convexity, the inclination of the upper incisor, and the occlusal plane (UOP, POP) were significantly correlated with post-treatment. In addition, the variables related to palatal contour (PP to PAS, SN to PAS, palatal surface angle) and occlusal planes (UOP/POP) were significantly correlated with the difference in palatal bone resorption. During initial diagnosis, high angle class II with normal upper incisor inclination can be signs of high-risk factors. In addition, maintaining the occlusal plane during treatment helps to prevent palatal bone loss.

Alveolar bone remodeling during maxillary incisor intrusion and retraction

Background

Maxillary incisor protrusion is a prevalent dental deformity and is often treated by upper incisor intrusion and retraction. The mechanical loading triggers the resorption and apposition of the bone. Alveolar bone remodeling is expected to follow orthodontic tooth movement in a one-to-one relationship. However, in many cases, the outcomes are different. Alveolar bone might still remain thick causing lip protrusion and other aesthetic problems after treatment. Additional corrective procedures such as alveoloplasty. On the other hand, if the labial bone becomes too thin, periodontal problems like gingival recession might occur. The unpredictability of the treatment result and the risk of requiring corrective procedures pose significant challenges to both the providers and patients. The aim of this study is to determine factors that can help to predict the alveolar bone reaction before maxillary incisor intrusion and retraction.

Methods

The cohort included 34 female patients (mean age 25.8 years) who were diagnosed with skeletal class II malocclusion with upper incisor protrusion. These patients underwent extraction and orthodontic treatment with upper incisor intrusion and retraction. Lateral cephalograms at pre-treatment and post-treatment were taken. Linear and angular measurements were analyzed to evaluate the alveolar bone changes based on initial conditions.

Results

The study found that the relative change, calculated as change in alveolar bone thickness after treatment divided by the initial alveolar thickness, was inversely correlated with the initial thickness. There was a significant increase of labial alveolar bone thickness at 9-mm apical from cementoenamel junction (B3) (P < 0.05) but no statistically significant change in the thickness at other levels. In addition, the change in angulation between the incisor and alveolar bone was inversely correlated with several initial angulations: between the initial palatal plane and upper incisor angle, between the initial palatal plane and upper incisor labial surface angle, and between the initial palatal plane and bone labial surface angle. On the other hand, the change in labial bone thickness was neither significantly correlated with the initial thickness nor significantly correlated to the amount of retraction.

Conclusion

The unpredictability of alveolar bone remodeling after upper incisor intrusion and retraction poses significant challenges to treatment planning and patient experience. The study showed that the initial angulation between the incisor and alveolar bone is correlated with the change in angulation after treatment, the initial thickness of the alveolar bone was correlated with the relative change of the alveolar bone thickness (defined as change in thickness after treatment divided by its initial thickness), and the amount of intrusion was correlated with the alveolar bone thickness change at 9-mm apical from the cementoenamel junction after treatment. The results of the present study also revealed that the change in labial alveolar bone thickness was neither significantly correlated with the initial thickness nor significantly correlated to the amount of retraction.

Influence of heritability on craniofacial soft tissue characteristics of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, and their siblings using Falconer's method and principal components analysis

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heritability on the craniofacial soft tissue cephalometric characteristics of monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, and their siblings (SIB).

Methods

The samples comprised Korean adult twins and their siblings (mean age, 39.8 years; MZ group, n = 36 pairs; DZ group, n = 13 pairs of the same gender; and SIB group, n = 26 pairs of the same gender). Thirty cephalometric variables were measured to characterize facial profile, facial height, soft-tissue thickness, and projection of nose and lip. Falconer's method was used to calculate heritability (low heritability, h² < 0.2; high heritability, h² > 0.9). After principal components analysis (PCA) was performed to extract the models, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value and heritability of each component.

Results

The MZ group exhibited higher ICC values for all cephalometric variables than DZ and SIB groups. Among cephalometric variables, the highest h²_(MZ-DZ) and h²_(MZ-SIB) values were observed for the nasolabial angle (NLA, 1.544 and 2.036), chin angle (1.342 and 1.112), soft tissue chin thickness (2.872 and 1.226), and upper lip thickness ratio (1.592 and 1.026). PCA derived eight components with 84.5% of a cumulative explanation. The components that exhibited higher values of h²_(MZ-DZ) and h²_(MZ-SIB) were PCA2, which includes facial convexity, NLA, and nose projection (1.026 and 0.972), and PCA7, which includes chin angle and soft tissue chin thickness (2.107 and 1.169).

Conclusions

The nose and soft tissue chin were more influenced by genetic factors than other soft tissues.

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Korea: a nationwide, population-based study (2006-2015)

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease varies among ethnic populations worldwide. Trends in the incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease have not been investigated based on the Korean National Health Insurance database.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the incidence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease by age using nationwide population data in Korea.

METHODS

A nationwide population-based cohort study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease was calculated by age, sex, calendar year and habitat. And comorbid metabolic diseases were also analysed in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease per 100 000 person-years was 3.976 (2.587 for males and 5.373 for females) from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease peaked among people in their 40s (6.561 per 100 000 person-years). Incidence was significantly higher in subjects with comorbid metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The mortality rate per 1000 person-years increased with age in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the incidence, prevalence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease. Metabolic conditions increased the risk of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease among Koreans.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Hylomecon hylomeconoides in RAW 264.7 cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Papaveraceae serve as a rich source of various alkaloids which have anti-inflammatory effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we investigated the effect of Hylomecon hylomeconoides ethanol extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in RAW 264.7 cells.

RESULTS

HHE inhibited LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production. Moreover, HHE suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, major constituents, dihydrosanguinarine and 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, of the chloroform-soluble extract were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of HHE may occur via the inhibition of NO and IL-6 expression through the down-regulation of MAP kinase (ERK1/2, p38) phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Antibacterial activity of bark of Alnus pendula against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are a rapidly growing health problem around the globe. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the use of plant materials as an alternative method to control pathogenic microorganisms. In this study we evaluated the antibacterial activity of bark of Alnus pendula against MRSA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MIC determination was done using the microdilution broth method and bacterial growth was determined by measuring optical density using spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

Alnus pendula bark EtOH extract and fractions (F-1, -2, -3 and -4) were investigated against MRSA. The most active fractions (F-3 and F-4) led to the isolation of oregonin (ORE) and hirsutanone (HIR). These compounds were active against MRSA strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 250 microg/ml MIC and 2 MIC of HIR completely inhibited the growth of MRSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The bark EtOH extract of Alnus Pendula has potent antibacterial activity against MRSA.

Classification of Cryptococcus neoformans and yeast-like fungus isolates from pigeon droppings by colony phenotyping and ITS genotyping and their seasonal variations in Korea

Cryptococcus neoformans (C neoformans) is a frequent cause of invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised human hosts. Ninety-eight samples of pigeon droppings were collected from the pigeon shelters in Seoul, and cultured on birdseed agar (BSA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). One hundred yeast-like colonies were selected and identified via phenotype characteristics, such as colony morphology and biochemical characteristics. This was then followed with genotyping via sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The colonies were classified into four kinds of colony color types: brown type (BrT), beige type (BeT), pink type (PT), and white type (WT). Numbers of isolated BrT, BeT, PT, and WT colonies were 22 (22%), 30 (30%), 19 (19%), and 39 (39%), respectively. All BrT colonies were identified as C neoformans. BeT were identified as 19 isolates of Cryptococcus laurentii, 10 isolates of Malassezia furfur, and 1 isolate of Cryptococcus uniguttulatus. PT was divided into two colony color types: light-PT (l-PT) and deep-PT (d-PT). Eighteen of l-PT and one of d-PT were identified as Rhodotorula glutinis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, respectively. WT were identified as 34 isolates of Cryptococcus guilliermondii, 3 isolates of Cryptococcus zeylanoides, 1 isolate of Cryptococcus sake, and 1 isolate of Stephanoascus ciferrii. Most strains were classified identically with the use of either phenotype or genotyping techniques, but C uniguttulatus and C sake classified by phenotyping were Pseudozyma aphidis and Cryptococcus famata by genotyping. This rapid screening technique of pathogenic yeast-like fungi by only colony characteristics is also expected to be very useful for primary yeast screening. Additionally, we investigated the seasonal variations of C neoformans and other yeast-like fungi from 379 pigeon-dropping samples that were collected from February 2011 to March 2011. We isolated 685 yeast-like fungi from the samples. Almost all C neoformans and yeast-like fungi were isolated in the fall (298 strains, 43.5%) and spring (244 strains, 35.6%). A few yeast-like fungi were isolated in winter (98 strains, 14.3%) and summer (45 strains, 6%). These results would be used as an important indicator related to epidemiology and prevention of pathogenic yeast-like fungi infections transmitted through pigeon droppings.

The effect of antioxidants on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and orthodontic tooth movement

Orthodontic force causes gradual compression of the periodontal ligament tissues, which leads to local hypoxia in the compression side of the tissues. In this study, we investigated whether antioxidants exert a regulatory effect on two factors: the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) that were exposed to mechanical compression and hypoxia and the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Exposure of PDLFs to mechanical compression (0.5-3.0 g/cm(2)) or hypoxic conditions increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Hypoxic treatment for 24 h increased the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PDLFs. Resveratrol (10 nM) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 20 mM) diminished the transcriptional activity of hypoxiainducible factor-1 and hypoxia-induced expression of VEGF. Combined treatment with mechanical compression and hypoxia significantly increased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and VEGF in PDLFs. These levels were suppressed by NAC and resveratrol. The maxillary first molars of rats were moved mesially for seven days using an orthodontic appliance. NAC decreased the amount of orthodontic tooth movement compared to the vehicle-treated group. The results from immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that NAC suppressed the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the periodontal ligament tissues compared to the vehicle-treated group. These results suggest that antioxidants have the potential to negatively regulate the rate of orthodontic tooth movement through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the compression sides of periodontal ligament tissues.

Antimicrobial activity of the constituents of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a serious problem as its infection is associated with higher mortality and increase cost worldwide. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius were tested for antimicrobial activity using micro dilution broth method against 2 strains of ATCC 33591, ATCC 25923 and 15 strains of clinical isolates MRSA.

RESULTS

The antibacterial activity of Smallanthus sonchifolius can safely be attributed to enhydrin as polymatin B, and allo-schkuhriolide are not showing any activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains. The enhydrin showed good antibacterial activity against all tested strains (MIC = 125-500 microg/ml).

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that only enhydrin can be considered as an antibacterial drug against MRSA.

Articular Cartilage Repair with Autografting Under the Influence of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Rabbits

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 has been successfully demonstrated to stimulate proteoglycan synthesis, slow down its catabolism and promote cartilage formation through well defined in vitro studies. It was therefore, assumed that IGF-1 would eventually serve to augment current cartilage repair techniques in vivo. Study was therefore, designed to determine the influence of IGF-1 in cartilage repair with or without autografting. For this purpose articular cartilage repair model was created in the left knee of 48 New Zealand white rabbits of either sex, 6-7 months old, weighing 1-2 kg. The articular cartilage defect was created in the femoral groove of femoro-patellar joint using hand held trephine under xylazine and ketamine anaesthesia in all the animals. The defect created was 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth. For autografting, osteochondral tissues harvested from the proximal patellar groove of the femur were placed in the distal defect and vice versa. The experimental animals were divided mainly into four groups, i.e. Group A (control), Group B (autografting), Group C (control + IGF-1) and Group D (autografting + IGF-1). Animals of group A and B were provided only with collagen scaffolds at 10 mug/cm(2) whereas animals of treatment group C and D were provided with collagen scaffolds holding 30 ng/30 mul of IGF-1 into the defect. Evaluation of cartilage repair was done on days 15, 30 and 45 after ethically killing the animals. Initially IGF-1 had shown the tendency for either in the maintenance of autografted cartilage or helped in proliferation of chondroblast for the repair process. However, later in the process, cartilage formation apparently declined and appeared to converge to osseous tissue. Collectively, non-responsiveness of osteoarthritic chondrocytes to IGF-1 could be partially attributed to either increased IGF-binding proteins in the joint space, micromovement of the graft, lack of nutrition, dose of IGF-1 or its half life in the current study.

Transdifferentiation of porcine satellite cells to adipoblasts with ciglitizone

Ciglitizone, a class of thiazolidinediones, acts as a potent activator of the adipose differentiation program in established preadipose cell lines. Thiazolidinediones have also been investigated in diabetic patients and have been reported to act as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligands. Intramuscular adipogenesis or marbling through transdifferentiation of satellite cells in cattle was successfully conducted earlier. In this report, the effects of ciglitizone on the differentiation pathway of porcine myogenic satellite cells was investigated. Semitendinosus muscle was aseptically taken from 10-d-old piglets under general anesthesia, and porcine satellite cells were obtained and grown to near confluence. Postconfluent cells (d 0) were further cultured in differentiation medium containing an adipogenic mixture plus ciglitizone (10 microM) for 48 h. From d 2 onward, the cells were cultured only in the presence of ciglitizone until d 10. Controls were cultured in differentiation medium only. Exposure of porcine satellite cells to the adipogenic mixture plus ciglitizone generated lipid droplets on d 2, and subsequently, exposure of cells to ciglitizone alone helped in cytoplasmic lipid filling, providing them with the acquisition of adipocyte morphology. An increase (P < 0.05) in the fusion (structures containing 2 to 3 nuclei) of satellite cells was observed, and myosin heavy chain appeared with greater intensity (immunohistochemistry) in the control group from d 2 onward. Adipocyte-specific transcriptional factors (i.e., CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma) were predominant during transdifferentiation and were observed with immunohistochemistry, Western blot (approximately 47.2 and approximately 60.4 kDa, respectively), and real-time PCR. Ciglitizone appeared to convert the differentiation pathway of satellite cells into that of adipoblasts.

Two cases of steakhouse syndrome associated with nutcracker esophagus

The most common type of esophageal food-related foreign body is the meat bolus, which is frequently associated with underlying esophageal stenosis. Herein, we report two cases of meat bolus impaction associated with nutcracker esophagus. In the first case, the 63-year-old male patient had chest discomfort and swallowing difficulty after ingestion of butcher's meat. In the second case, the 55-year-old male patient had complained of swallowing difficulty after ingestion of chicken. In both cases, no pathologic findings were observed endoscopically after removal of the esophageal meat bolus. We performed esophageal manometry, which showed very high amplitudes of esophageal pressure in the mid- and distal esophagus. These findings were consistent with nutcracker esophagus. These cases show that esophageal motility disorder may be the cause of esophageal foreign body impaction, and esophageal manometry should be performed for evaluation of the cause of foreign body, especially in an endoscopically normal patient.

Estrogen attenuates cell death induced by carboxy-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein in PC12 through a receptor-dependent pathway

In the present study, we investigated effects of estrogen on cell death induced by carboxy-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein (CT), a candidate causative substance in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. 17 beta-Estradiol attenuated CT-induced cell death in PC12 cells, whereas 17 alpha-estradiol, nonestrogenic stereoisomer, did not exert any significant protective effect on CT-induced cell death. These results suggest that protective effects of estrogen may be mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) in PC12 cells. To confirm the results, we determined the effects of tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist. Tamoxifen blocked the protective effects of 17 beta-estradiol, although it did not affect those of 17 alpha-estradiol. Overall, it might be thought that the protective effect of estradiol on CT-induced cell death is achieved by hormonal properties mediated through the estrogen receptor rather than the structural properties as a reducing agent.

C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein induces astrocytosis

One of the pathophysiological features of Alzheimer's disease is astrocytosis around senile plaques. Reactive astrocytes may produce proinflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, and subsequent reactive oxygen intermediates such as peroxynitrites. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of the C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein (CT-APP), which is another constituent of amyloid senile plaque and an abnormal product of APP metabolism, as an inducer of astrocytosis. We report that 100 nM recombinant C-terminal 105 amino acid fragment (CT105) of APP induced astrocytosis morphologically and immunologically. CT105 exposure resulted in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways as well as transcription factor NF-kappaB. Pretreatment with PD098059 and/or SB203580 decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation. But inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation did not affect MAPKs activation whereas they abolished NO production and attenuated astrocytosis. Furthermore, conditioned media derived from CT105-treated astrocytes enhanced neurotoxicity and pretreatment with NO and peroxynitrite scavengers attenuated its toxicity. These suggest that CT-APP may participate in Alzheimer's pathogenesis through MAPKs- and NF-kappaB-dependent astrocytosis and iNOS induction.

The protective role of HSP90 against 3-hydroxykynurenine-induced neuronal apoptosis

3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway, is a potential neurotoxin in several neurodegenerative disorders. Stabilizing protein structure, heat shock proteins (HSPs) have diverse roles as molecular chaperones to mediate stress tolerance. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective role of HSPs against 3HK induced neuronal cell death. Here we report that 3HK induced in a dose- and time-dependent manner neuronal cell death in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. The cell death showed characteristic apoptotic features such as cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear condensation and fragmentation. Furthermore, SK-N-SN cells were protected from 3HK induced cytotoxicity by prior elevation of HSPs expression. Our results show that the protective effect was abolished by HSP90 anti-sense oligonucleotides while not by HSP27 and HSP70 anti-sense oligonucleotides. Also, our result shows that HSP90 effectively inhibits caspases activities leading to the apoptosis. These results suggest that 3HK induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma SK-N-SN cells and that HSP90 is major contributing protein component of protection against 3HK induced apoptosis.

Synthesis of phosphatidylserine in carrot cells cultured under carbon-source starvation

When carrot suspension cells were cultured on medium containing no carbon source (starvation), the levels of phosphatidylserine (PS) increased transiently 3-4 d after the initiation of starvation while levels of most other phospholipid (PL) species decreased. We previously reported that fatty acids of these PLs served as an alternative carbon source during starvation. The present study showed that cells possess two different biosynthetic pathways involving phosphatidylcholine (PC)/phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) exchange enzymes and PS synthase to synthesize PS. These activities peaked similarly 4 d after the initiation of starvation and coincided with the peak of PS level. The synthesis of serine was also significantly activated during starvation. The activity of phosphoserine aminotransferase (PSAT) which is involved in serine synthesis increased with a time course similar to that of the increase in the PS level. These observations suggest that the increase in PS level plays an important role in membranes which are degraded during starvation.

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induces alteration in mucin gene expression and biological properties of colon cancer cells

Phorbol esters such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) have been reported to modulate diverse cellular responses through signal transduction pathways including the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of PMA on mucin gene expression and on the biological properties of a human colon cancer cell line, HM3. The cells were treated for 8 and 24 h with various concentrations of PMA and total RNA was extracted and Northern and slot blot analyses were carried out using MUC2, MUC3 and MUC5AC mucin cDNA probes to assess the steady state levels of mRNA. Spent media were collected and the level of cancer associated carbohydrate antigens (T, Tn, sialyl Tn, sialyl Lex, and sialyl Lea) and matrix-degrading metalloproteinase (MMPs) activity were examined. Trypsinized cells were used for assessing in vitro invasion, motility and adhesion to matrigel. Our results showed that PMA caused upregulation of steady state mRNA levels of MUC2, MUC3 and MUC5AC which was inhibited after treatment with protein synthesis inhibitors. Calphostin C, a highly specific inhibitor of protein kinase C significantly inhibited the PMA induced induction of mRNA levels of MUC2, MUC3, and MUC5AC. The levels of all cancer-associated mucin carbohydrate antigens examined in the media were increased by PMA treatment. PMA also caused an increase in MMPs activity and in in vitro invasion and motility properties, but did not affect adhesion of HM3 cells to matrigel. Thus, PMA caused a significant increase in the expression of all three mucin genes through signaling pathways involving protein kinase C and increased secretion of mucin associated carbohydrate antigens. These changes were associated with increases in MMP activity as well as by increases in the invasive and motility properties of HM3 colon cancer cells. These data suggest that protein kinase C signaling pathways may be involved in mucin gene regulation and in modulating the invasive and metastatic properties of colon cancer cells.

Hormonal cross-talk between auxin and ethylene differentially regulates the expression of two members of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase gene family in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Two cDNA clones, pOS-ACO2 and pOS-ACO3, encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase were isolated from rice seedling cDNA library. pOS-ACO3 is a 1,299 bp full-length clone encoding 321 amino acids (Mr=35.9 kDa), while pOS-ACO2 is 1,072 bp long and is a partial cDNA clone encoding 314 amino acids. These two deduced amino acid sequences share 70% identity, and display a high degree of sequence identity (72-92%) with previously isolated pOS-ACO1 of deepwater rice. The chromosomal location studies show that OS-ACO2 is positioned on the long arm of chromosome 9, while OS-ACO3 on the long arm of chromosome 2 of rice genome. A marked increase in the level of OS-ACO2 transcript was observed in IAA-treated etiolated rice seedlings, whereas the OS-ACO3 mRNA was greatly accumulated by ethylene treatment. Results of ethylene inhibitor studies indicated that auxin promotion of the OS-ACO2 transcription was not mediated through the action of auxin-induced ethylene. Thus, it appears that there are two groups of ACC oxidase transcripts in rice plants, either auxin-induced or ethylene-induced. The auxin-induced OS-ACO2 expression was partially inhibited by ethylene, while ethylene induction of OS-ACO3 transcription was completely blocked by auxin. These results indicate that the expression of ACC oxidase genes is regulated by complex hormonal networks in a gene specific manner in rice seedlings. Okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase, effectively suppressed the IAA induction of OS-ACO2 expression, suggesting that protein dephosphorylation plays a role in the induction of ACC oxidase by auxin. A scheme of the multiple regulatory pathways for the expression of ACC oxidase gene family by auxin, ethylene and protein phosphatase is presented.

Methylation of CpG in a small region of the hMLH1 promoter invariably correlates with the absence of gene expression

Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been described in tumors from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, sporadic colorectal cancer, and other types of cancers. MSI is caused by the dysfunction of mismatch repairs genes. Loss of expression and mutation in one of the major mismatch repair genes, hMLH1, and the methylation of CpG sites in its promoter occur frequently in primary tumors and cell lines of colorectal cancer with MSI. To understand the mechanisms involved in the silencing of hMLH1 expression by methylation, we examined the methylation status of all CpG sites in the hMLH1 promoter in 24 colorectal cancer cell lines by the NaHSO3-sequencing method. We identified a small proximal region (-248 to -178, relative to the transcription start site) in the promoter in which the methylation status invariably correlates with the lack of hMLH1 expression. This correlation was further supported by the observation that cell lines that showed methylation-suppressed hMLH1 expression can be induced to reexpress hMLH1 by a methyl transferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, and the small region that we identified exhibited significant demethylation in all cell lines examined.

Effects of egg and yolk weights on yolk antibody (IgY) production in laying chickens

Twenty 35-wk-old chickens, including 10 Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) and 10 Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens, were used to examine the effects of egg and yolk weights on egg yolk antibody (IgY) production in the two strains of chickens immunized with BSA. The SCWL chickens had a greater (P < 0.01) percentage hen-day production and greater egg and yolk weights than did the RIR chickens. However, the anti-BSA antibody activities determined by ELISA in the serum and the egg yolk were similar (P > 0.05) between the SCWL and RIR chickens. Similarities between the two strains of hens were also observed in protein and total IgY contents (expressed as the percentage of wet weight of yolk) and the percentage of BSA-specific antibody in the total IgY. It was concluded that both the SCWL and RIR chickens immunized with BSA can produce egg yolk IgY containing similar proportions of BSA-specific antibodies. Therefore, the egg yolk weight and the percentage hen-day production, both of which are greater in the SCWL hens, are considered to be important factors for the efficient production of IgY.

Structure and expression of two cDNAs encoding S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Two cDNAs encoding rice (Oryza sativa L.) S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (SAMS) have been cloned, sequenced and identified. The deduced protein sequences share a high homology (90-94%) with those of other plant SAMS and are 60-62% identical to yeast, rat and human SAMS. The rice SAMS genes are differentially regulated in a tissue-specific manner and by a salt stress, while they are coordinately expressed during growth of the rice cell culture.

Expression of p53 and NDP-K/nm23 in gastric carcinomas--association with metastasis and clinicopathologic parameters

To evaluate the role of p53 and NDP-K/nm23(nm23) protein as a prognostic factor and their relation to metastasis of cancer, we studied metastatic and nonmetastatic gastric carcinoma specimens by immunohistochemical staining. Among the 101 specimens examined, 37(36.6%) showed positivity in staining for p53 protein and 64(63.4%) showed no detectable p53 protein in tumor cells. p53 overexpression was correlated with depth of invasion, lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Out of 101 specimens, 35 cases had no staining for nm23. 62 cases(61.4%) exhibited a cytoplasmic staining on most cells and 42 cases (41.6%) had nuclear staining. In 16 of 101 cases(15.8%), a mild to moderate membranous staining was observed in some cells. Cytoplasmic nm23 expression was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis(P < 0.01) and distant metastasis(P < 0.01). The nuclear nm23 expression showed negative correlation with depth of invasion(P < 0.01), lymphatic invasion(P < 0.01), lymph node metastasis(P < 0.01), and distant metastasis(P < 0.04). The membranous nm23 expression revealed negative correlation with lymphatic invasion(P < 0.02), lymph node metastasis(P < 0.01) and distant metastasis(P < 0.02).