• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2008

It is well known that many antimicrobial proteins in saliva interact with each other. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interactions of lysozyme with peroxidase in the aspects of enzymatic activity in vitro. The interactions of lysozyme with peroxidase were examined by incubating hen egg-white lysozyme(HEWL) with bovine lactoperoxidase(bLP). The influence of peroxidase system on lysozyme was examined by subsequent addition of potassium thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide. Lysozyme activity was determined by turbidity measurement of a Micrococcus lysodeikticus substrate suspension. Peroxidase activity was determined with an NbsSCN assay. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the changes of enzymatic activities compared with their controls. bLP at physiological concentrations enhanced the enzymatic activity of HEWL(P < 0.05) and its effect was dependent on the concentration of peroxidase. However, HEWL did not affect the enzymatic activity of bLP. Thiocyanate did not affect the enzymatic activity of HEWL, either. The addition of potassium thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide did not lead to additional enhancement of the enzymatic activity of HEWL. The changes of hydrogen peroxide concentration in the peroxidase system did not affect the enzymatic activity of HEWL. Collectively, despite an in vitro nature of our study, the results of the present study provide valuable information on the interactions of lysozyme and peroxidase in the aspects of enzymatic activity in oral health care products and possibly in the oral cavity.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.45-55
• /
• 2007

Plant extract has attracted considerable interest in oral disease therapy. The present study was performed to observe the antibacterial effect on cariogenic Streptococcus mutans GS5 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, and periodontopathic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 of phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc employing the measurement of optical density, viable cell counts, and antibiotic sensitivity. The results were as follows: 1. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed to be 0.5%, 1%, and 0.2%, respectively. 2. Minimum bactericidal concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined to be 0.5%, 2%, and 0.2%, respectively. 3. The bacteria exposed to the phytoncide become more sensitive to antibiotics. The phytoncide enhanced significantly antibacterial activity of ampicillin against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. It also increased significantly the activity of penicillin and amoxicillin against S. sobrinus. In contrast, the phytoncide augmented the activity of amoxicillin and cefotaxime against A. actinomycetemcomitans but the increase was not statistically significant. The overall results indicate that phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc used for this study has a strong antibacterial activity against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria and that it also has permeabilizing effect on certain antibiotics against these bacteria. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral infectious disease including dental caries and periodontal disease.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.208-217
• /
• 2003

Introduction: Soft-tissue impingement syndrome is now increasingly recognized as a significant cause of the chronic ankle pain. As a method to detect soft-tissue ankle impingement, a characteristic history and physical examination, routine MR imaging, and direct MR arthrography were used. The efficacy of routine MR imaging has been controversial for usefulness because of low sensitivity and specificity. Direct MR artrhography was recommaned for diagnosis because of the highest sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, but it requires an invasive procedure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Fat suppressed, contrast enhanced, three-dimensional fast gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state with rediofrequency spoiling magnetic resonance imaging(CE 3D-FSPGR MRI) and to evaluate the clinical outcome of the arthroscopic treatment in assessing soft-tissue impingement associated with trauma of the ankle. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 38 patients who had arthroscopic evaluations and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies(3D-FSPGR MRI) for post-traumatic chronic ankle pain between January 2000 and August 2002. Among them, 24 patients had osteochondral lesion, lateral instability, loose body, malunion of lateral malleoli, and peroneal tendon dislocation. The patient group consisted of 23 men and 15 women with the average age of 34 years(16-81 years). The mean time interval from the initial trauma to the operation was 15.5 months(3 to 40 months), The mean follow-up duration of the assessment was 15.6months(12-48 months). MRI was simultaneously reviewed by two radiologists blinded to the clinical diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI was obtained from radiologic and arthroscopic finding. Arthroscopic debridement and additional operation for associated disease were performed. We used a standard protocol to evaluate patients before the operation and at follow-up which includes American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Score. Results: For the assessment of the synovitis and soft tissue impingement, fat suppressed CE 3D-FSPGR MR imaging had the sensitivity of 91.9%, the specificity of 84.4 and the accuracy of 87.5%. AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score of preoperative state was 69.2, and the mean score of the last follow-up was 89.1. These were assessed as having 50% excellent(90-100) and 50% good(75-89). The presence of other associated disease didn't show the statistically significant difference(>0.05). Conclusion: Fat suppressed CE 3D-FSPGR MR imaging is useful method comparable to MR arthrography for diagnosis of synovitis or soft-tissue impingement, and arthroscopic debridement results in good clinical outcome.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effect of propofol on human keratinocytes that have undergone hypoxia reoxygenation (H/R) injury and to investigate whether autophagy is associated with the protective mechanism. Thus, we evaluated how propofol influences the intracellular autophagy and apoptosis during the H/R process in the HaCaT cells. The cultured human keratinocyte cells were exposed to 24 h of hypoxia (5% $CO_2$, 1% $O_2$, 94% $N_2$) followed by 12 h of reoxygenation (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, 74% $N_2$). The experiment was divided into 4 groups: (1) Control=Normoxia ; (2) H/R=Hypoxia Reoxygenation ; (3) PPC+H/R=Propofol Preconditioning+Hypoxia Reoxygenation; (4) 3-MA+PPC+ H/R=3-MA-Methyladenine+Propofol Preconditioning+ Hypoxia Reoxygenation. In addition, Western blot analysis was performed to identify the expression of apoptotic pathway parameters, including Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 involved in mitochondrial-dependent pathway. Autophagy was determined by fluorescence microscopy, MDC staining, AO staining, and western blot. The H/R produced dramatic injuries in keratinocyte cells. In our study, the viability of Propofol in H/R induced HaCaT cells was first studied by MTT assay. The treatment with 25, 50, and $100{\mu}M$ Propofol in H/R induced HaCaT cells enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and $100{\mu}M$ was the most effective dose. The Atg5, Becline-1, LC3-II, and p62 were elevated in PPC group cells, but H/R-induced group showed significant reduction in HaCaT cells. The Atg5 were increased when autophagy was induced by Propofol, and they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA. These data provided evidence that propofol preconditioning induced autophagy and reduced apoptotic cell death in an H/R model of HaCaT cells, which was in agreement with autophagy playing a very important role in cell protection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2001

Capsaicin, a pungent ingredient of hot pepper, elicits an intense burning pain when applied cutaneously and intradermally. Activation of capsaicin-gated channel in C-type dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons produces nonselective cationic currents. Although electrophysiological and biochemical properties of capsaicin-activated current $(I_{CAP})$ were studied, the regulatory mechanism and intracellular signaling pathway are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the modulations of $I_{CAP}$ by DAMGO $({\mu}-opioid\;agonist)$ and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). In 18 out of 86 cells, the amplitude of $I_{CAP}$ was significantly increased by DAMGO and completely reversed after washout, while $I_{CAP}$ was decreased by DAMGO in 25 cells. In 43 cells, DAMGO had no effect on $I_{CAP}$. Mean action potential duration was significantly different between 'increased-by-DAMGO' group and 'decreased-by-DAMGO' group. Mean amplitudes of $I_H$ were not significantly different between both groups. CCK-8 reversibly enhanced the amplitude of $I_{CAP}$ (5/13). DAMGO also increased $I_{CAP}$ amplitude significantly in the same cells. The amplitude of $I_{CAP}$ was increased in additive manner by combined applications of DAMGO and CCK-8 in these cells. These results suggest that DAMGO and CCK-8 can either increase or decrease $I_{CAP}$ presumably depending on the subtypes of DRG cells and classified by electrophysiological properties.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2020

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by the core symptom of chronic widespread pain, along with fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. The etiology of fibromyalgia involves a combination of biological factors, such as genetic vulnerability, alterations in pain processing and stress response system ; psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, anger, and perceived stress ; environmental factors, such as infections, febrile diseases, and trauma. Central sensitization, which is amplified in the process of sensory stimulation, has been emphasized as a key etiological factor, as supported by enhanced wind-up, delayed aftersensation, decreased nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and functional imaging studies. Several guidelines recommend that a multimodal approach be used to treat fibromyalgia, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, tailored to each individual, and that clinicians should provide an intellectual framework through sufficient education and emphasis on the importance of self-management. The prevalence of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric problems is 7-9 times higher in patients with fibromyalgia than in the general population ; moreover, the association between fibromyalgia and certain psychopathologies or sleep problems has also been suggested. Since psychiatric problems, with shared vulnerabilities and risk factors, interact with fibromyalgia bidirectionally and also affect the disease course, an integrated management approach is needed to determine the risk of comorbidities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.6
• /
• pp.1613-1618
• /
• 2021

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary T-cell lymphoma of the cauda equina is extremely rare. We describe a case involving a 56-year-old female who presented with low back pain and radiating leg pain for 4 months. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an elongated, multinodular intradural lesion of approximately 10 cm from the L4 body to the S2 body level with iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, heterogeneous iso- and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, and a heterogeneous intense enhancement on gadolinium contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. A peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the cauda equina was diagnosed on the basis of immunohistochemical and T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement analysis after intradural biopsy of the mass.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.1294-1317
• /
• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2018.05a
• /
• pp.588-591
• /
• 2018

Baculovirus was originally isolated from the alfalfa looper and contains a 134-kbp genome with 154 open reading frames (ORF). The major capsid protein VP39 together with some minor proteins forms the nucleocapsid ($21nm{\times}260nm$) that encloses the DNA with p6.9 protein. They are double-stranded, circular, supercoiled DNA molecules in a rod-shaped capsid. Wild-type baculoviruses exhibit both lytic and occluded life cycles that develop independently throughout the three phases of virus replication. Recombinant baculoviruses can transfer their vectors and express their recombinant proteins in a wide range of mammalian cell types. Especially, inclusion of a dominant selectable marker in these baculoviral vectors can express diverse recombinant genes in many cells. Baculoviral vectors were reconstructed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter,uroplakin II promoter, polyhedron promoter, vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSVG), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), protein transduction domain (PTD) gene and so on. These reconstructed vectors were infected into various cell and cell lines. We performed transfection and expression of these recombinant vectors comparison with other control vectors. From this study, we knew that transfection and expression of these recombinant vectors have higher efficacy than any control vector. This work was supported by a grant from Mid-Career Researcher Program(NRF-2016R1A2B4016552) through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(MSIP).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.588-592
• /
• 2010

A 15-year-old neutered male Yorkshire terrier was presented with a gait disorder of the pelvic limbs. For differential diagnosis of neural disease, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan were performed. CT showed bone defect in the 4th lumbar vertebra and adjacent soft tissue mass. MRI revealed a mass in left side of the 4th lumbar vertebra. The mass was uniformly enhanced on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1W1). Excision of the mass alleviated back pain. Vertebral osteosarcoma was identified by the histopathological examination. Therefore, CT and MRI were helpful to diagnose vertebral osteosarcoma in the dog and to plan surgical excision of the mass.