• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.363-369
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• 2011

The present study elucidated the effect of the selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor $N^6$-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL) on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet. L-NIL (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally 4 h before injection of MSU (4 mg) into the soles of mice hindlimb feet. Twenty-four hours after MSU injection, foot thickness was increased by 160% and L-NIL pretreatment reduced food pad swelling in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of 10 mg/kg/day L-NIL significantly suppressed the foot pad swelling by MSU. Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and gene expression and protein level of iNOS in feet were increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. Similar pattern of change was observed in nitrotyrosine level. MSU increased the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and L-NIL pretreatment suppressed MSU-induced cytokines expression. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase1 were increased by MSU and L-NIL pretreatment normalized the gene expression. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 was increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. The mRNA levels of iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ were increased by MSU in human dermal fibroblasts, C2C12 myoblasts, and human fetal osteoblasts in vitro, which was attenuated by L-NIL in a dose dependent manner. This study shows that L-NIL inhibits MSU-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet suggesting that iNOS might be involved in MSU-induced inflammation.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.118-129
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• 2017

Objective: To evaluate the effects of facemask therapy, which was anchored from the zygomatic buttresses of the maxilla by using two miniplates, in skeletal Class III patients with maxillary deficiency. Methods: Eighteen skeletal Class III patients (10 girls and 8 boys; mean age, $11.4{\pm}1.28$ years) with maxillary deficiency were treated using miniplate-anchored facemasks, and their outcomes were compared with those of a Class III control group (9 girls and 9 boys; mean age, $10.6{\pm}1.12$ years). Two I-shaped miniplates were placed on the right and left zygomatic buttresses of the maxilla, and a facemask was applied with a 400 g force per side. Intragroup comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon test, and intergroup comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test (p < 0.05). Results: In the treatment group, the maxilla moved 3.3 mm forward, the mandible showed posterior rotation by $1.5^{\circ}$, and the lower incisors were retroclined after treatment. These results were significantly different from those in the control group (p < 0.05). No significant anterior rotation of the palatal plane was observed after treatment. Moreover, changes in the sagittal positions of the maxillary incisors and molars were similar between the treatment and control groups. Conclusions: Skeletally anchored facemask therapy is an effective method for correcting Class III malocclusions, which also minimizes the undesired dental side effects of conventional methods in the maxilla.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.121-129
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• 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the radiographic characteristics of the tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis with hallux valgus deformity and report the clinical results of the operative treatment. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 20 patients, 22 feet who had been operated for non-traumatic tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis with hallux valgus (TMT group) and control group of hallux valgus patients without tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis (26 patients, 28 feet) from April 2004 to July 2011. Radiographic characteristics were compared between the groups, using hallux valgus angle, $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ intermetatarsal angle, metatarsal length ratio, metatarsus adductus angle, talonavicular coverage angle, talus-$1^{st}$ metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch angle and medial cuneiform height. Pre- and postoperative difference of $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal declination angle and distance between the $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal head were evaluated. The clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Metatarsal length ratio was significantly larger in TMT group (p<0.001). Metatarsus adductus angle, talonavicular coverage angle, talus-$1^{st}$ metatarsal angle on lateral radiograph, calcaneal pitch angle and medial cuneiform height were different from control group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, p=0.010, p=0.006). Postoperative declination of the $2^{nd}$ metatarsal and distance between the $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal head were increased (p=0.009, p=0.001). The AOFAS and VAS score were improved (p<0.001, p<0.001). Conclusion: Non-traumatic osteoarthritis of the tarsometatarsal joints seems to be associated with long 2nd metatarsal length, metatarsus adductus and flatfoot deformity. Spur excision may be successful to relieve symptoms when the arthritis was diagnosed in early stage.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.100-105
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• 2013

Purpose: To present radiographic characteristics and report the clinical results of the operative treatment of M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 13 patients, 14 feet who had been operated for M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease between April 2006 and December 2011. Osteoarthritis of the peri-navicular joints were radiographically evaluated. Various range of peri-navicular fusion and joint-preserving surgeries according to patients' symptoms and radiographic findings were done. The clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: On radiographs, osteoarthritic changes were presented at talonavicular joint in 11 cases, calcaneocuboid joint in 7 cases, subtalar joint in 6 cases, naviculo-cuneiform joint in 1 case. The mean anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle was 16.6 degrees. On hindfoot alignment view, 6 cases were varus, 5 cases were neutral and 3 cases were valgus alignment. Fusion comprised 6 cases in triple fusion, 1 case in talonavicular-cuneiform fusion, 2 cases in talonavicualr fusion and 1 case in talonavicular & calcaneocuboid fusion. Joint-preserving surgeries were bony fragment excision of the lateral part of navicular & medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in 1 case, bony spur excision of talonavicular joint in 1 case and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in 2 cases. The postoperative AOFAS and VAS score were improved significantly (p=0.000, p=0.000). Conclusion: In cases of M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease without osteoarthritic changes at peri-navicular joints, fragment excision of navicular, bony spur excision with or without medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy were effective operative treatments.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.47-50
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• 2010

섬유형성이상은 골수가 섬유-골성 조직으로 치환되는 흔한 양성 골 질환이다. 암환자에서 병기의 결정과 추적 검사 시 암 전이의 발견에 PET/CT의 역할이 증가됨에 따라 우연히 발견된 FDG 섭취 증가를 보이는 섬유형성이상에서 암 전이와의 감별이 중요하다. PET/CT를 시행한 46세의 유방암 환자에서 좌측 대퇴골에 국소 FDG 섭취를 보여 암 전이로 의심되었으나 단순촬영과 자기공명 영상 소견에서 섬유형성이상으로 진단한 환자의 증례를 보고하고자 한다. 이 환자에서 단순활영과 자기공명영상 소견은 PET/CT에서 유방암 전이로 오인된 섬유형성이상의 감별에 도움이 되었다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.153-161
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• 2015

Purpose: To identify the differential MRI findings between myxoid tumors and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (BPNSTs) in the musculoskeletal system. Materials and Methods: The study participants included a total of 35 consecutive patients who underwent MRI between September 2011 and December 2013. The patients were pathologically diagnosed with myxoid tumors (22 patients) or BPNSTs (13 patients). Evaluation was done by two radiologists, based on the following characteristics: size, margin, degree of signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI), homogeneity of SI on T2WI, enhancement pattern, enhancement homogeneity, presence of cystic portion, internal fat component, presence of fat split sign, presence of target sign, presence of continuation with adjacent neurovascular bundle, and presence of surrounding halo. Results: Large size, high SI on T2WI, heterogeneous enhancement, and internal fat component were commonly observed in myxoid tumors, while homogenous enhancement, fat split sign, target sign were common in BPNSTs. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Other findings, such as margin, homogeneity of SI on T2WI, enhancement pattern (peripheral or solid), internal cystic portion, continuation with neurovascular bundle, and surrounding halo, did not show significant difference between myxoid tumors and BPNSTs (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the differential diagnosis of myxoid tumors and BPNSTs involving the musculoskeletal system, several MRI findings such as degree of SI on T2WI, enhancement homogeneity, internal fat component, fat split sign, and target sign, may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제58권6호
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• pp.218-223
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• 2015

Purpose: Idiopathic scoliosis is a structural lateral curvature of the spine of unknown etiology. The relationship between degree of spine curvature and cardiopulmonary function has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between scoliosis and cardiopulmonary characteristics. Methods: Ninety children who underwent preoperative pulmonary or cardiac evaluation at a single spine institution over 41 months were included. They were divided into the thoracic-dominant scoliosis (group A, n=78) and lumbar-dominant scoliosis (group B, n=12) groups. Scoliosis severity was evaluated using the Cobb method. In each group, relationships between Cobb angles and cardiopulmonary markers such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), $FEV_1$/FVC, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary artery flow velocity, and tissue Doppler velocities (E/E', E'/A') were analyzed by correlation analysis linear regression. Results: In group A, 72 patients (92.3%) underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and 41 (52.6%) underwent echocardiography. In group B, 9 patients (75.0%) underwent PFT and 8 (66.7%) underwent echocardiography. Cobb angles showed a significant negative correlation with FVC and $FEV_1$ in group A (both P<0.05), but no such correlation in group B, and a significant negative correlation with mitral E/A ratio (P<0.05) and tissue Doppler E'/A' (P<0.05) in group A, with a positive correlation with mitral E/A ratio (P<0.05) in group B. Conclusion: Pulmonary and cardiac function was significantly correlated with the degree of scoliosis in patients with thoracic-dominant scoliosis. Myocardial diastolic function might be impaired in patients with the most severe scoliosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.711-717
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• 2016

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that stimulates production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which are important for innate immunity. NLRs, i.e., nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, play a crucial role as innate immune sensors and form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, which mediate caspase-1-dependent processing of $pro-IL-1{\beta}$. To elucidate the role of inflammasome components in T. gondiiinfected THP-1 macrophages, we examined inflammasome-related gene expression and mechanisms of inflammasome-regulated cytokine $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion. The results revealed a significant upregulation of $IL-1{\beta}$ after T. gondii infection. T. gondii infection also upregulated the expression of inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and NAIP, in a time-dependent manner. The infection also upregulated inflammasome adaptor protein ASC and caspase-1 mRNA levels. From this study, we newly found that T. gondii infection regulates NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP) gene expressions in THP-1 macrophages and that the role of the inflammasome-related genes may be critical for mediating the innate immune responses to T. gondii infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.301-304
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• 2008

Microsatellites, short tandem repeats, are useful markers for genetic analysis because of their high frequency of occurrence over the genome, high information content due to variable repeat lengths, and ease of typing. To establish a panel of microsatellite markers useful for genetic studies of the Korean population, the allele frequencies and heterozygosities of 207 microsatellite markers in 119 unrelated Korean, Indian and Pakistani individuals were compared. The average heterozygosity of the Korean population was 0.71, similar to that of the Indian and Pakistani populations. More than 80% of the markers showed heterozygosity of over 0.6 and were valuable as genetic markers for genome-wide screening for disease susceptibility loci in these populations. To identify the allelic distributions of the multilocus genetic data from these microsatellite markers, the population structures were assessed by clustering. These markers supported, with the most probability, three clustering groups corresponding to the three geographical populations. When we assumed only two hypothetical clusters (K), the Korean population was separate from the others, suggesting a relatively deep divergence of the Korean population. The present 207 microsatellite markers appear to reflect the historical and geographical origins of the different populations as well as displaying a similar degree of variation to that seen in previously published genetic data. Thus, these markers will be useful as a reference for human genetic studies on Asians.

• 한국정밀공학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.146-154
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• 2009

In recent tissue engineering field, it is being reported that the fabrication of 3D scaffolds having high porous and controlled internal/external architectures can give potential contributions in cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. To fabricate these scaffolds, various solid free-form fabrication technologies are being applied. The solid free-form fabrication technology has made it possible to fabricate solid free-form 3D microstructures in layer-by-layer manner. In this research, we developed a multi-head deposition system (MHDS) and used design of experiment (DOE) to fabricate 3D scaffold having an optimized internal/external shape, Through the organization of experimental approach using DOE, the fabrication process of scaffold, which is composed of blended poly-caprolactone (PCL), poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), is established to get uniform line width, line height and porosity efficiently Moreover, the feasibility of application to the tissue engineering of MHDS is demonstrated by human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) proliferation test.