• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.42.1-42.7
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the C-shaped root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: A total of 542 teeth were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The canal shapes were classified according to a modified version of Melton's method at the level where the pulp chamber floor became discernible. Results: Of the 542 mandibular second molars, 215 (39.8%) had C-shaped canals, 330 (53%) had 3 canals, 17 (3.3%) had 2 canals, 12 (2.2%) had 4 canals, and 8 (1.7%) had 1 canal. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 47.8% in females and 28.4% in males. Seventy-seven percent of the C-shaped canals showed a bilateral appearance. The prevalence of C-shaped canals showed no difference according to age or tooth position. Most teeth with a C-shaped canal system presented Melton's type II (45.6%) and type III (32.1%) configurations. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of C-shaped canals in the mandibular second molars of the Korean population studied. CBCT is expected to be useful for endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning of mandibular second molars.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.833-845
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• 2022

Although asthma is a common chronic airway disease that responds well to anti-inflammatory agents, some patients with asthma are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases owing to their immunomodulatory properties. However, the target cells of MSCs are not yet clearly known. This study aimed to determine the effect of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) on asthmatic lungs by modulating innate immune cells and effector T cells using a murine asthmatic model. Intravenously administered hUC-MSCs reduced airway resistance, mucus production, and inflammation in the murine asthma model. hUC-MSCs attenuated not only T helper (Th) 2 cells and Th17 cells but also augmented regulatory T cells (Tregs). As for innate lymphoid cells (ILC), hUC-MSCs effectively suppressed ILC2s by downregulating master regulators of ILC2s, such as Gata3 and Tcf7. Finally, regarding lung macrophages, hUC-MSCs reduced the total number of macrophages, particularly the proportion of the enhanced monocyte-derived macrophage population. In a closer examination of monocyte-derived macrophages, hUC-MSCs reduced the M2a and M2c populations. In conclusion, hUC-MSCs can be considered as a potential anti-asthmatic treatment given their therapeutic effect on the asthmatic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model by modulating innate immune cells, such as ILC2s, M2a, and M2c macrophages, as well as affecting Tregs and effector T cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2007

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is one of the cardiovascular complications of in COPD. However, a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension requires an invasive test, such as right heart catheterization. NT-proBNP is a cardiac hormone that is elevated when a cardiac volume or pressure overload is present. It was hypothesized that NT-proBNP might play a role in detecting of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients. Method: The 31 COPD patients, who underwent all of NT-proBNP, echocardiography, and spirometry in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital during the period from November 2003 to July 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. Result: Of the 31 COPD patients, 9 patients had pulmonary hypertension. A significant positive correlation was observed between the NT-proBNP and pulmonary arterial pressure (r=0.589, p=0.002). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the $FEV_1$ and NT-proBNP and $FEV_1$ and pulmonary arterial pressure. Conclusion: NT-proBNP might indicate the presence of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.164-167
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• 2011

Objective: There are limited data regarding the significance of elevated serum CA-125 level during IUI cycles, even though it is used widely during the initial evaluation of infertile patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum CA-125 levels during IUI cycles. Methods: Among the patients with controlled ovarian stimulation and IUI cycles at Seoul National University Hospital from Jan 2005 through Dec 2009, 92 cases with no identified endometriotic lesion, ovarian tumor, salpingeal lesion, or uterine myoma were selected. To compare the clinical characteristics between the pregnancy group and the non-pregnancy group, the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: The overall pregnancy rate was 18.5% (17/92). The pregnancy group showed a higher number of follicles 16 mm in diameter ($p$=0.036), endometrial thickness ($p$ <0.001), ampules of gonadotropin ($p$=0.009), and higher body mass index ($p$=0.022) than the non-pregnancy group. No significant difference was observed in the serum CA-125 level or the proportion of patients with CA-125 exceeding 17 IU/mL between the two groups. Conclusion: The prognostic value of serum CA-125 level among infertile patients with IUI cycles is considered limited.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.141-142
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• 2005

Two cases of bilateral ulnar neuropathies caused by telephone overuse are described in people engaged in the job of longtime telephone use. They had worked using telephone all through the working hours. Although they were right handed, they usually used the telephone in their left hand so as to leave their right hand free for writing, and would lean his elbow on the desk. Telesales or teleconsultation is a rapidly expanding field of business. These cases highlights the need of proper training and supplies appropriate to do their job.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.130-132
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• 2005

Isolated posterior antebrachial cutaneous (PABC) neuropathy is rare. A 62 year-old man presented with hypesthesia over the skin region of PABC nerve territory after an injection at the proximal to the lateral epicondyle. Antidromic sensory nerve conduction studies of PABC nerve was not evoked on the affected side. Our case showed that sensory nerve conduction of PABC nerve can be performed without much difficulty and that this test is useful in confirming PABC neuropathy.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.182-185
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• 2006

Various immunotherapeutic modalities have been used based on the autoimmune pathogenic mechanisms of myasthenia gravis (MG). Cell-mediated immunity as well as auto-antibodies may play a role in the remission and relapse of MG. We recently experienced two patients with MG who showed spontaneous remission after inadvertent severe leukopenia. These findings suggest that the cell-mediated immune process is important in the treatment of MG, and selective suppression of leukocyte may induce remission in the patients with intractable MG.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.343-350
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• 2019

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of local compression in patients presenting to the emergency room with intraoral bleeding and to identify when complex haemostatic measures may be required. Materials and Methods: Five hundred forty patients who had experienced intraoral haemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. The outcome variable was the haemostasis method used, i.e., simple (local compression with gauze) or complex (an alternative method after local compression has failed). Predictor variables were sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, hepatic cirrhosis, bleeding disorder, use of antithrombotic agents, and site/cause of haemorrhage. Results: The mean patient age was 48.9±23.9 years, 53.5% were male, 42.8% were ASA class II or higher, and 23.7% were taking antithrombotic agents. Local compression was used most often (68.1%), followed by local haemostatic agents, sutures, systemic tranexamic acid or blood products, and electrocautery. The most common site of bleeding was the gingiva (91.7%), and the most common cause was tooth extraction (45.7%). Risk factors for needing a complex haemostasis method were use of antithrombotic agents (odds ratio 2.047, P=0.009) and minor oral surgery (excluding extraction and implant procedures; odds ratio 6.081, P=0.001). Conclusion: A haemostasis method other than local compression may be needed in patients taking antithrombotic agents or having undergone minor oral surgery.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 1999

The growth and development of Gymnophalloides seoi were studied in C3H/HeN mice and effects of immunosuppression of the host on the worm development were observed. Two hundred metacercariae of G. seoi were orally administered to each mouse, and worms were recovered on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 post-infection (PI). The worm recovery rate was significantly higher in immunosuppressed (ImSP) mice than in immunocompetent (ImCT) mice except on days 1 and 3 PI. The worms attained sexual maturity by day 3 PI with eggs in the uterus, and worm dimensions and the number of uterine eggs continuously increased until day 14 PI in ImSP mice. Worms recovered from ImSP mice were significantly larger in size than those from ImCT mice on days 1 and 3 PI, and the number of uterine eggs was significantly larger in ImSP mice on days 5 and 7 PI. Genital organs such as the ovary, testes, and vitellaria, that were already developed in the metacercarial stage. grew a little in size until day 14 PI. The results show that the C3H/HeN mouse is, though not excellent, a suitable laboratory host for G. seoi.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2004

The pond smelt Hypomesus olidus and minnow Zacco platypus were collected from the Soyang and Daechung Lakes in January 2003, and their metacercarial infections was examined by the muscle compression and artificial digestion techniques. In the Soyang Lake, 161 metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis (0.35 per fish) were harvested from 459 pond smelts examined. Also, 13 metacercariae of C. sinensis (0.43 per fish), 1 of Metagonimus sp., 4 of Echinostoma sp., 148 of Centrocestus armatus and 44 unidentified species were collected from 30 minnows. In the Daechung Lake, 369 metacercariae of C. sinensis (3.69 per fish) and 51 unidentified species were recovered from 100 pond smelts. The metacercariae of C. sinensis were fed to experimental rats, in which the adult flukes were identified. The pond smelts and minnows collected from the Soyang and Daechung Lakes were verified to be the second intermediate hosts and the sources of human C. sinensis infection.