• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) provides a favorable outcome for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was launched in Vietnam in 2004. In this study, we evaluated the short-term and long-term outcomes of LT and its risk factors. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed HCC patients who underwent LT at Viet Duc University hospital, Vietnam, from 01/2012-03/2022. The following data were gathered: demographics, virus infection, tumor characteristics, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, Child-Pugh and MELD scores, selection criteria, type of LT, complications, 30-day mortality, and disease-free and overall survival (DFS and OS). Results: Fifty four patients were included, the mean age was 55.39 ± 8.46 years. Nearly 90% had hepatitis B virus-related HCC. The median (interquartile range) AFP level was 16.2 (88.7) ng/mL. The average MELD score was 10.57 ± 5.95; the rate of Child-Pugh A and B were 70.4% and 18.5%, respectively. Nearly 40% of the patients were within Milan criteria, brain-dead donor was 83.3%. Hepatic and portal vein thrombosis occurred in 0% and 1.9%, respectively; hepatic artery thrombosis 1.9%, biliary leakage 5.6%, and postoperative hemorrhage 3.7%. Ninety-day mortality was 5.6%. Five-year DFS and OS were 79.3% and 81.4%, respectively. MELD score and ChildPugh score were predictive factors for DFS and OS (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh score was the only significant factor (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In Vietnam, LT is an effective therapy for HCC with an acceptable complication rate, mortality rate, and good survival outcomes, and should be further encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.216-221
• /
• 1996

The quantitative EEGs of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients were analyzed using spectral analysis and compared to age and sex-matched controls. The subjects were 19 patients(men=15, women=4) suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder(DSM-III-R). Absolute power, relative power and interhemispheric asymmetry of EEG were used to compare obsessive-compulsive disorder patients with controls. In order to fit the EEG data to a normal distribution, a log transformation of power values of every bandwidth in each deviation was calculated prior statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon rank test was performed to compare obsessive-compulsive group to the control group. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, abnormalities of quantitative EEGs are prominent in fronto-central. These results ore compatible with other brain imaging studies of obsessive-compulsive disorder and suggested that fronto-central area plays an important role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.61-66
• /
• 2011

P2Y receptors are metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors, which are involved in many important biologic functions in the central nervous system including retina. Subtypes of P2Y receptors in retinal tissue vary according to the species and the cell types. We examined the molecular and pharmacologic profiles of P2Y purinoceptors in retinoblastoma cell, which has not been identified yet. To achieve this goal, we used $Ca^{2+}$ imaging technique and western blot analysis in WERI-Rb-1 cell, a human retinoblastoma cell line. ATP ($10\;{\mu}M$) elicited strong but transient $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase in a concentration dependent manner from more than 80% of the WERI-Rb-1 cells (n=46). Orders of potency of P2Y agonists in evoking $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transients were 2MeS-ATP>ATP>>UTP=${\alpha}{\beta}$-MeATP, which was compatible with the subclass of $P2Y_1$ receptor. The $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transients evoked by applications of 2MeS-ATP and/or ATP were also profoundly suppressed in the presence of $P2Y_1$ selective blocker (MRS 2179; $30\;{\mu}M$). $P2Y_1$ receptor expression in WERI-Rb-1 cells was also identified by using western blot. Taken together, $P2Y_1$ receptor is mainly expressed in a retinoblastoma cell, which elicits $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal $Ca^{2+}$ storage sites via the phospholipase C-mediated pathway. $P2Y_1$ receptor activation in retinoblastoma cell could be a useful model to investigate the role of purinergic $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ signaling in neural tissue as well as to find a novel therapeutic target to this lethal cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2008

Flavonoids have been shown to affect calcium signaling in neurons. However, there are no reports on the effect of apigenin on glutamate-induced calcium signaling in neurons. We investigated whether apigenin affects glutamate-induced increase of free intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, using fura-2-based digital calcium imaging and microfluorimetry. The hippocampal neurons were used between 10 and 13 days in culture from embryonic day 18 rats. Pretreatment of the cells with apigenin ($1{\mu}M$ to $100{\mu}M$) for 5 min inhibited glutamate ($100{\mu}M$, 1 min) induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase, concentration-dependently. Pretreatment with apigenin ($30{\mu}M$) for 5 min significantly decreased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses induced by two ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic (AMPA, $10{\mu}M$, 1 min) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, $100{\mu}M$, 1 min), and significantly inhibited the AMPA-induced peak currents. Treatment with apigenin also significantly inhibited the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ response induced by 50 mM KCl solution, decreased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses induced by the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, (S)-3,5-dihydroxy-phenylglycine (DHPG, 100 $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, 90 s), and inhibited the caffeine (10 mM, 2 min)-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses. Furthermore, treatment with apigenin ($30{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited the amplitude and frequency of 0.1 mM $[Mg^{2+}]_o$-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ spikes. These data together suggest that apigenin inhibits glutamate-induced calcium signaling in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.189-198
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro response of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells to X-ray in the presence and absence of 2 deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and quercetin (QCT). Materials and Methods: The MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in an ${\alpha}-MEM$ supplemented with 5 mM 2-DG or $10{\mu}M$ QCT and then the cells were incubated for 12 h prior to irradiation with 2, 4, 6, and 8Gy using a linear accelerator (Mevaprimus, Germany) delivered at a rate of 1.5 Gy/min. At various times after the irradiation, the cells were processed for the analyses of proliferation, viability, cytotoxicity, and mineralization. Results: Exposure of the cells to X-ray inhibited the tritium incorporation, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT)-reducing activity, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and caused cytotoxicity and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner of the X-ray. This effect was further apparent on day 3 and 7 after the irradiation. RA+2-DG showed the decrease of DNA content, cell viability, and increase of cytotoxicity rather than RA. ALP activity increased on day 7 and subsequently its activity dropped to a lower level. 2-DG suppressed the calcium concentration, but visual difference of number of calcified nodules between RA and RA+2-DG was not noticed. RA+QCT showed the increase of DNA content, cell viability, but decrease of cytotoxicity and subG1 stage cells in the cell cycle, and increased calcified nodules in von Kossa staining rather than the RA. ALP activity showed significant increases on day 7 and subsequently its activity dropped to a lower level. Conclusion: The results showed that the 2-DG acted as a radiosensitizing agent and QCT acted as a radiosensitizing agent respectively in the irradiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.273-280
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This experiment was conducted to detect water stress in terms of the moisture content of cucumber seedlings under water stress condition using a hyperspectral image acquisition system, linear regression analysis, and partial least square regression (PLSR) to achieve a non-destructive measurement procedure. Methods: Changes in the reflectance spectrum of cucumber seedlings under water stress were measured using hyperspectral imaging techniques. A model for estimating moisture content of cucumber seedlings was constructed through a linear regression analysis that used the moisture content of cucumber seedlings and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). A model using PLSR that used the moisture content of cucumber seedlings and reflectance spectrum was also created. Results: In the early stages of water stress, cucumber seedlings recovered completely when sub-irrigation was applied. However, the seedlings suffering from initial wilting did not recover when more than 42 h passed without irrigation. The reflectance spectrum of seedlings under water stress decreased gradually, but increased when irrigation was provided, except for the seedlings that had permanently wilted. From the results of the linear regression analysis using the NDVI, the model excluding wilted seedlings with less than 20% (n=97) moisture content showed a precision ($R^2$ and $R^2_{\alpha}$) of 0.573 and 0.568, respectively, and accuracy (RE) of 4.138% and 4.138%, which was higher than that for models including all seedlings (n=100). For PLS regression analysis using the reflectance spectrum, both models were found to have strong precision ($R^2$) with a rating of 0.822, but accuracy (RMSE and RE) was higher in the model excluding wilted seedlings as 5.544% and 13.65% respectively. Conclusions: The estimation model of the moisture content of cucumber seedlings showed better results in the PLSR analysis using reflectance spectrum than the linear regression analysis using NDVI.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.141-148
• /
• 2006

The effects of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) on salivary glands have been recognized since 1982. The presence of purinergic recepetors(P2Rs) that mediate the effects of ATP in various tissues, including parotid and submandibular salivary gland, has been supported by the cloning of receptor cDNAs and the expression of the receptor proteins. P2Rs have many subtypes, and the activation of these receptor subtypes increase intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, a key ion in the regulation of the secretion in the salivary gland. The apical pores of taste buds in circumvallate and foliate papillae are surrounded by the saliva from von Ebner salivary gland(vEG). Thus, it is important how the secretion of vEG is controlled. This study was designed to elucidate the roles of P2Rs on salivary secretion of vEG. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (about 200 g) were used for this experiment. vEG-rich tissues were obtained from dissecting $500-1,000\;{\mu}m$ thick posterior tongue slices under stereomicroscope view. P2Rs mRNA in vEG acinar cells were identified with RT-PCR. To observe the change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ activity, we employed $Ca^{2+}-ion$ specific fluorescence analysis with fura-2. Single acinar cells and cell clusters were isolated by a sequential trypsin/collagenase treatment and were loaded with $10\;{\mu}M$ fura -2 AM for 60 minutes at room temperature. Several agonists and antagonists were used to test a receptor specificity. RT-PCR revealed that the mRNAs of $P2X_4$, $P2Y_1$, $P2Y_2$ and $P2Y_3$ are expressed in vEG acinar cells. The intracellular calcium activity was increased in response to $10\;{\mu}M$ ATP, a P2Rs agonist, and 2-MeSATP, a $P2Y_1$ and $P2Y_2R$ agonist. However, $300\;{\mu}M\;{\alpha}{\beta}-MeATP$, a $P2X_1$ and $P2X_3R$ agonist, did not elicit the response. The responses elicited by $10\;{\mu}M$ ATP and UTP, a $P2Y_2R$ agonists, were maintained when extracellular calcium was removed. $10\;{\mu}M$ suramin, a P2XR antagonist, and reactive blue 2, a P2YR antagonist, partially blocked ATP-induced response. However, when extracellular calciums were removed, suramin did not abolish the responses elicited by ATP. These results suggest that P2Rs play an important role in salivary secretion of vEG acinar cells and the effects of ATP on vEG salivary secretion may be mediated by $P2X_4$, $P2Y_1$, $P2Y_2$, and/or $P2Y_3$.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.66 no.5
• /
• pp.511-524
• /
• 2023

Objective : This animal model aimed to compare the rat group that received brain irradiation and did not receive additional treatment (only saline) and the rat group that underwent brain irradiation and received Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. In addition, the effects of G-CSF on brain functions were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathologically. Methods : This study used 24 female Wistar albino rats. Drug administration (saline or G-CSF) was started at the beginning of the study and continued for 15 days after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). WBRT was given on day 7 of the start of the study. At the end of 15 days, the behavioral tests, including the three-chamber sociability test, open field test, and passive avoidance learning test, were done. After the behavioral test, the animals performed the MR spectroscopy procedure. At the end of the study, cervical dislocation was applied to all animals. Results : G-CSF treatment positively affected the results of the three-chamber sociability test, open-space test and passive avoidance learning test, cornu Ammonis (CA) 1, CA3, and Purkinje neuron counts, and the brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein-95. However, G-CSF treatment reduced the glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining index and brain levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa-B, and lactate. In addition, on MR spectroscopy, G-CSF had a reversible effect on brain lactate levels. Conclusion : In this first designed brain irradiation animal model, which evaluated G-CSF effects, we observed that G-CSF had reparative, neuroprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects and had increased neurotrophic factor expression, neuronal counts, and morphology changes. In addition, G-CSF had a proven lactate-lowering effect in MR spectroscopy and brain materials.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The objective of this study was to propose a deep-learning model for the detection of the mandibular canal on dental panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: A total of 2,100 panoramic radiographs (PANs) were collected from 3 different machines: RAYSCAN Alpha (n=700, PAN A), OP-100 (n=700, PAN B), and CS8100 (n=700, PAN C). Initially, an oral and maxillofacial radiologist coarsely annotated the mandibular canals. For deep learning analysis, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) utilizing U-Net architecture were employed for automated canal segmentation. Seven independent networks were trained using training sets representing all possible combinations of the 3 groups. These networks were then assessed using a hold-out test dataset. Results: Among the 7 networks evaluated, the network trained with all 3 available groups achieved an average precision of 90.6%, a recall of 87.4%, and a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 88.9%. The 3 networks trained using each of the 3 possible 2-group combinations also demonstrated reliable performance for mandibular canal segmentation, as follows: 1) PAN A and B exhibited a mean DSC of 87.9%, 2) PAN A and C displayed a mean DSC of 87.8%, and 3) PAN B and C demonstrated a mean DSC of 88.4%. Conclusion: This multi-device study indicated that the examined CNN-based deep learning approach can achieve excellent canal segmentation performance, with a DSC exceeding 88%. Furthermore, the study highlighted the importance of considering the characteristics of panoramic radiographs when developing a robust deep-learning network, rather than depending solely on the size of the dataset.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.276-283
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the fit and screw joint stability between Ready-made abutment and CAD-CAM custom-made abutment. Materials and methods: Osstem implant system was used. Ready-made abutment (Transfer abutment, Osstem Implant Co. Ltd, Busan, Korea), CAD-CAM custom-made abutment (CustomFit abutment, Osstem Implant Co. Ltd, Busan, Korea) and domestically manufactured CAD-CAM custom-made abutment (Myplant, Raphabio Co., Seoul, Korea) were fabricated five each and screws were provided by each company. Fixture and abutments were tightening with 30Ncm according to the manufacturer's instruction and then preloding reverse torque values were measured 3 times repeatedly. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis of the preloading reverse torque values (${\alpha}=.05$). After specimens were embedded into epoxy resin, wet cutting and polishing was performed and FE-SEM imaging was performed, on the contact interface. Results: The pre-loading reverse torque values were $26.0{\pm}0.30Ncm$ (ready-made abutment; Transfer abutment) and $26.3{\pm}0.32Ncm$ (CAD-CAM custom-made abutment; CustomFit abutment) and $24.7{\pm}0.67Ncm$ (CAD-CAM custom-made abutment; Myplant). The domestically manufactured CAD-CAM custom-made abutment (Myplant abutment) presented lower pre-loading reverse torque value with statistically significant difference than that of the ready-made abutment (Transfer abutment) and CAD-CAM custom-made abutment (CustomFit abutment) manufactured from the same company (P=.027) and showed marginal gap in the fixture-abutment interface. Conclusion: Within the limitation of the present in-vitro study, in domestically manufactured CAD-CAM custom-made abutment (Myplant abutment) showed lower screw joint stability and fitness between fixture and abutment.