• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2012

Introduction: To evaluate the 3-dimensional changes in the pharyngeal airway of skeletal class III patients after bimaxillary surgery. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 18 Korean patients that had undergone maxillary setback or posterosuperior movement and mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy setback surgery due to skeletal class III malocclusion (8 males, 10 females; mean age of 28.7). Cone beam computed tomography was taken 1 month before and 6 months after orthognathic surgery. Preoperative and postoperative volumes of the nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and laryngopharyngeal airways and minimum axial areas of the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces were measured. Moreover, the pharyngeal airway volume of the patient group that had received genioplasty advancement was compared with the other group that had not. Results: The nasopharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces did not show significant differences before or after surgery. However, the oropharyngeal space volume and total volume of pharyngeal airway decreased significantly (P<0.05). The minimum axial area of the oropharynx also decreased significantly. Conclusion: The results indicate that bimaxillary surgery decreased the volume and the minimum axial area of the oropharyngeal space. Advanced genioplasty did not seem to have a significant effect on the volumes of the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.211-220
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in the pharyngeal airway space, tongue and hyoid bone positions according to the orthognathic surgical methods of mandibular prognathism. Methods: The subjects included 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) with the skeletal class III malocclusion. Group 1 (10 patients) underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) only; group 2 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO with genioplasty; and group 3 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO, Le Fort I osteotomy. We measured the lines between the selected upper air way, hyoid bone and tongue landmarks on the lateral cephalometric x-ray films of skeletal class III. The measurements were made preoperation, within 1 week after the operation, 3~6 months after the operation and 1 year after the operation. We compared and analyzed the measurements with matched paired t-test and independent samples t-test. Results: There were no postoperative changes in the nasopharyngeal airway space in group 3. The measurements of group 3 also increased during the follow-up period as compared to the preoperative measurements. In group 1, 2 and 3, the immediate postoperative oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces were decreased. In the following period, the hypopharyngeal airway space returned to the preoperative positions, but the oropharyngeal airway space was not significantly changed. The upper and lower tongue was posteriorly repositioned immediately after the surgery. During the follow-up period, the lower tongue position returned to the preoperative position, and the upper tongue position was not significantly changed. Immediately after the surgery, the B point was moved to the posterior position, and a slight anterior advancement was found in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients who received the mandibular setback surgery showed a decrease in the posterior airway space, and those who underwent maxillary advancement showed a significant increase of the nasopharyngeal airway space, which remained stable during the evaluation period. The change of the airway space, position of the hyoid bone and tongue did not differ according to the presence or absence of genioplasty.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.81-94
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• 1997

The Purpose of this study were to examine the epidemiology of snoring, its associated factors and anatomic features on cephalogram according to the frequency of snoring in young adults. Epidemiological survey using questionaire was made to the 438 students (320 male, 118 female) aged 19 - 28 years, and cephalometric study of anatomic features on 14 habitual snorers, 31 occasional snorers and 30 non-snorers among men was done. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The prevalence snoring was 11.4% in the young adults, 15.0% in male and 1.7% female. 2. Of the young adults, 3.7% were habitual snorers and 7.8% were occasional snorers. 3. Smoking and drinking increased the frequency of snoring(p < 0.01), but didn't affec the differences in the frequency between habitual and occasional snoring. 4. No significant correlation was made between the frequency of snoring and the factors such as overweight, nasal disease and hypertension. 5. In the cephalometric comparison between snorers and non-snorers, snorers had inferiorly positioned hyoid bone(p < 0.05), longer soft palate(p < 0.01), steeper soft palate(p < 0.05) and narrower nasopharyngeal(p < 0.05) and oropharyngeal(p < 0.001) airway. 6. In the cephalometric comparison between habitual snorers and occasional snorers, habitual snorers had narrow nasopharyngeal airway(p < 0.05).

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 1985

Since the fact was known that mouth breathing resulted from the adenoid hypertropy causes malocclusion, many investigators have studied nasopharynx and adenoid in order to clarify the role in relation to the effect on face and occlustion and the development of airway. The author analyzed 13 items in longitudinal cephalometric roentgenograms of 17 boys and 19 girls taken from the age of 7 to 12. The results were as follows. 1. The means and standard deviation for the measured items were obtained. 2. The continual growth of nasopharyngeal cavity was more affected by the height than the depth. 3. The size of adenoid was larger in males than in females, especially on R, $D-AD_2$. 4. Airway percentage was highest in boys at age 10 and girls at age 9. 5. The items showed significant differentiation between males and females were airway percentage, posterior height, $D-AD_1,\;D-AD_2$, and R.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2000

Purpose : This study was aimed at measuring the changes in the hyoid bone position, tongue position, and pharyngeal airway space in subjects with mandibular setback osteotomies. Methods : Twenty patients were evaluated retrospectively for their changes in pharyngeal airway space, tongue and hyoid bone positions. All patients underwent surgical mandibular setback using bilateral sagittal split osteotomies. The cephalometric analysis was performed preoperatively, and 1 week, 3-6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Result : The hyoid bone moved inferiorly and posteriorly immediately after surgery, and it returned to the preoperative position during follow-up period. The nasopharyngeal airway space was not significantly changed after surgery. A considerable decrease in the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces following mandibular setback surgery was found. The upper and lower tongue was posteriorly repositioned immediately after surgery. During follow-up period, the hypopharyngeal airway space and lower tongue posture returned to the preoperative positions, but the oropharyngeal airway space and upper tongue posture were not significantly changed. The position of pogonion remarkably changed to backward immediately after surgery, but slightly anterior advancement was found during follow-up period. Conclusion : Immediately after mandibular setback surgery, the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces obviously decreased due to posterior and inferior repositions of the tongue and hyoid bone. During follow-up period, lower tongue and hyoid bone returned to the preoperative positions, it was related to advancement of the pogonion in this period. The narrowing of the oropharyngeal airway space and posterior movement of the upper tongue posture were relatively permanent after mandibular setback surgery. We suspected this phenomenon had an influence on maintaining the total volume of oral cavity against mandibular setback.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.401-406
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the position of the hyoid bone and soft palate and the amount of airway space after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (B-SSRO). Methods: This study is a review of lateral cephalometric tracings of 30 patients who underwent B-SSRO with setbacks at Kyunghee Dental Hospital from 2005 to 2009. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0), within one month (T1), and more than six months after the surgery (T2). Results: The hyoid bone at T1 changed significantly towards the inferoposterior position. At T2, it had significantly moved superiorly, but not anteriorly. At T1, the nasopharyngeal space, extending from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly, but did not show a significant increase at T2. The nasopharyngeal space, extending from the middle of soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly at T1, but did not show a significant decrease at T2. The oropharyngeal airway space decreased significantly at T1 and did not return to its original position at T2. The hypopharyngeal space, extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebrae, slightly decreased at T1, but the amount was insignificant; however, the amount of decrease at T2 was significant. The hypopharyngeal space extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the lowest point of the third cervical vertebrae, decreased significantly at T1 but returned to its original position at T2. Conclusion: B-SSRO changes the position of the hyoid bone and muscles inferoposteriorly. These change allows enough space for the tongue and prevent airway obstruction. Airway changes may be related to post-operative edema, posterior movement of the soft palate, anteroposterior movement of the hyoid bone, or compensation for decreased oral cavity volume. The position of the pogonion which measures anterior relapse after surgery did not show significant differences during the follow-up period.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.23.1-23.7
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to develop a two- and three-dimensional analysis of the airway using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine whether the airway space would be changed in mandibular prognathism after bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction. Methods: Patients requiring orthognathic surgery from 2012 to 2014 were recruited for this study. CBCT scans were obtained at three points: preoperatively (T0), immediate postoperatively (T1), and after 6 months postoperatively (T2). The nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were measured on the CBCT scan for each patient in a repeatable manner. With the midsagittal plane, linear measurements in the middle of each were obtained. For the CBCT, volumetric measurements of each and total airway were obtained. Results: A total of 22 consecutive patients (11 men and 11 women) were included in the present study. The total volume was significantly reduced (p < .001). However, the change of the diameter and volume of the nasopharynx was not statistically significant (p = .160, p = .137, respectively). In the oropharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p < .001, p = .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p = .010, respectively). In the hypopharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively). Conclusions: The bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction can reduce the volume of airway in the patients of mandibular prognathism. Although total airway volume was reduced significantly, the changes in the volume and diameter of the nasopharynx were not statistically significant. The maxillary posterior impaction affects on the nasopharyngeal airway minimally.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of the long-term use of a maxillary protraction facemask with miniplate (FM-MP) on pharyngeal airway dimensions in growing patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Methods: The study included 24 boys with CLP (mean age, 12.2 years; mean duration of FM-MP therapy, 4.9 years), divided into two groups according to the amount of A point advancement to the vertical reference plane (VRP): Group 1, > 4 mm; Group 2, < 2 mm; n = 12/group. After evaluating the skeletodental and airway variables using lateral cephalograms acquired before and after FM-MP therapy, statistical analyses were performed. Results: Group 1 showed greater forward and downward displacements of the posterior maxilla (posterior nasal spine [PNS]-horizontal reference plane [HRP]; PNS-VRP), greater increase in ANB, more forward tongue position (tongue tip-Pt vertical line to Frankfort horizontal plane), and greater increase in the oropharynx (superior posterior airway space [SPAS]; middle airway space [MAS]) and upper nasopharynx (PNS-adenoid2) than did Group 2. While maxillary advancement (A-VRP and PNS-VRP) correlated with increases in SPAS, MAS, and PNS-adenoid2, downward displacement of the PNS (PNS-HRP) correlated with increases in SPAS, MAS, PNS-adenoid1, and PNS-adenoid2, and with a decrease in vertical airway length (VAL). Mandibular forward displacement and decrease in mandibular plane correlated with increases in MAS. Conclusions: FM-MP therapy had positive effects on the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway spaces without increases in VAL in Group 1 rather than in Group 2. However, further validation using an untreated control group is necessary.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.317-327
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between low tongue position (LTP) and the volume and dimensions of the nasopharyngeal, retropalatal, retroglossal, and hypopharyngeal segments of the upper airway. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, including 91 males and 103 females were divided into a resting tongue position (RTP) group and a LTP group according to their tongue position. Subjects in the LTP group were divided into four subgroups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to the intraoral space volume. The 3D slicer software was used to measure the volume and minimum and average cross-sectional areas of each group. Airway differences between the RTP and LTP groups were analyzed to explore the association between tongue position and the upper airway. Results: No significant differences were found in the airway dimensions between the RTP and LTP groups. For both retropalatal and retroglossal segments, the volume and average cross-sectional area were significantly greater in the patients with extremely low tongue position. Regression analysis showed that the retroglossal airway dimensions were positively correlated with the intraoral space volume and negatively correlated with A point-nasion-B point and palatal plane to mandibular plane. Males generally had larger retroglossal and hypopharyngeal airways than females. Conclusions: Tongue position did not significantly influence upper airway volume or dimensions, except in the extremely LTP subgroup.