• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2007

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common craniofacial birth defect that is the result of a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. While studies have identified a number of different candidate genes and loci for the etiology of CL/P, the results have not been consistent among different ethnic groups. To study the genetic association of the candidate genes in Korean patients affected by CL/P, we genotyped 97 nonsyndromic CL/P patients and 100 control individuals using single nucleotide polymorphic markers at the MTHFR, TGFA, and IRF6 genes. We report that the T3827C marker at TGFA showed significant association with nonsyndromic CL/P, but all the other markers tested were not significantly associated with nonsyndromic CL/P in Korean patients.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2008

Objective: This study was performed to identify the characteristics of the MSX1 gene (locus chromosome 4p16) in Korean nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CL/P), which is assumed to be a major candidate gene acting as a causal factor in nonsyndromic CL/P and missing teeth. Methods: The 36 individuals (23 males and 13 females) who had visited the department of orthodontics at from 1998 to 2002 and who had nonsyndromic CL/P were included in the study. Using a PCR-based assay, the MSX1 gene was amplified, sequenced, and searched for inferred protein products (Reference: Homo sapiens MSX1, accession number AF426432 and NP_002439). The common single nucleotide polymorph isms were observed. Results: In exon 1, nucleotide "A" of the 253 basepair (bp) region was substituted for "G", and in the 255 bp region, nucleotide "G" was inserted. In exon 2, nucleotide "C" of the 11 bp region was substituted for "A", and "T" or "G" was inserted into the 351 bp region whereas "T" or "A" was inserted into the 352 bp region. In protein analysis, "Thr85Ala" missense mutation was found. The "Thr85Ala" missense mutation in this study is different from those of studies using subjects of other races. Conclusions: The results suggest that there is specific mutation of MSX1 in Korean and it plays an important role in Korean nonsyndromic CL/P. However, any distinct genetic polymorphisms between CL/P with missing teeth in the cleft region and CL/P without missing teeth could not be found.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.202-209
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• 2017

Background No consensus exists on the optimal treatment protocol for orofacial clefts or the optimal timing of cleft palate closure. This study investigated factors influencing speech outcomes after two-stage palate repair in adults with a non-syndromal complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Methods This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with a UCLP who underwent two-stage palate closure and were treated at our tertiary cleft centre. Patients ${\geq}17$ years of age were invited for a final speech assessment. Their medical history was obtained from their medical files, and speech outcomes were assessed by a speech pathologist during the follow-up consultation. Results Forty-eight patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 21 years (standard deviation, 3.4 years). Their mean age at the time of hard and soft palate closure was 3 years and 8.0 months, respectively. In 40% of the patients, a pharyngoplasty was performed. On a 5-point intelligibility scale, 84.4% received a score of 1 or 2; meaning that their speech was intelligible. We observed a significant correlation between intelligibility scores and the incidence of articulation errors (P<0.001). In total, 36% showed mild to moderate hypernasality during the speech assessment, and 11%-17% of the patients exhibited increased nasalance scores, assessed through nasometry. Conclusions The present study describes long-term speech outcomes after two-stage palatoplasty with hard palate closure at a mean age of 3 years old. We observed moderate long-term intelligibility scores, a relatively high incidence of persistent hypernasality, and a high pharyngoplasty incidence.