• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.171-180
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• 2003

The development of calvarial bones is tighly co-ordinated with the growth of the brain and needs of harmonious interactions between different tissues within the calvarial sutures. Premature fusion of cranial sutures, known as craniosynostosis, presumably involves disturbance of these interactions. Mutations in the homeobox-containg gene Msx2 cause human craniosynostosis syndrome. Msx genes, which are consist of Msx1, Msx2 and Msx3, are homeobox-containg transcripton factors, and were originally identified as homologue of Drosophila msh(muscle segment homeobox) gene. Msx1 and Msx2 genes, expressed mostly in overlapping patterns at multiple site of tissue interactions during vertebrate development, are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis, targets of BMP and FGF signaling. To elucidate the function of Msx genes in the early morphogenesis of mouse cranial suture, we analyzed the expression of them by in situ hybridization during embryonic(E15-E18) stage, and did vivo experiments in E15.5 mouse using rhBMP-2, rhFGF-2 protein soaked bead. In the sagittal suture, Msx1 was expressed in the mesenchyme of suture and the dura mater, Msx2 was intensely expressed in the sutural mesenchyme and the dura mater. In the coronal suture both of Msx genes were expressed intensely in the sutural mesenchyme and expressed in the periosteum also. Msx1 had a broader expression pattern than Msx2. BMP2 beads induced expression of both Msx1 and Msx2, FGF2 beads induced expression of Msx1, but not Msx2. Taken together, these data suggest that Msx1 and Msx2 genes have important role in regulating the morphogenesis and maintenance of embryonic cranial suture. Both of Msx genes are expressed similarly but because of their upstream signaling, they function dependently or cooperatively according to change of signaling molecule.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.4 s.20
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• pp.273-280
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• 2005

Purpose: Cyclin G2 has been reported to be a negative cell-cycle regulator in various cancer tissues. However, the pattern of cyclin G2 expression in gastric cancer is relatively unknown. We investigated the expression of cyclin G2 in gastric cancer tissues and evaluated the clinical significance of its expression. Materials and Methods: Well-preserved gastric cancer tissues were consecutively obtained from 172 patients who underwent gastric cancer operations at Samsung Medical Center between November 1994 and December 1997. Cyclin G2 expression in the tissues was examined immunohistochemically, and the clinicopathological features and prognostic significance according to the expression were analyzed. Results: Of the 172 gastric cancer tissues, cyclin G2 expression was positive in 43 tissues (25.0%). According to the stage, cyclin G2 expression was lower in more advanced stages (P<0.001). Negative expression of cyclin G2 was positively correlated with more advanced depth of tumor invasion (P<0.05), presence of lymph-node metastasis (P<0.05) and presence of lymphatic invasion (P<0.05). The prognosis of the cyclin G2(+) group was significantly better than that of the cyclin G2(-) group (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that T stage, lymph-node metastasis, distant metastasis, and lymphatic invasion were independent prognostic factors, but the expression of cyclin G2 was not. Conclusion: Cyclin G2 was expressed in 25% of the gastric cancer tissues, and negative expression of cyclin G2 was associated with more advanced tumor progression. Cyclin G2 may be a negative cell-cycle regulator in gastric cancer, and further studies are necessary to elucidate its exact role in the mechanism of carcinogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.465-472
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• 2005

Background : The survival benefit associated with first-line chemotherapy in lung cancer has led to the need for second-line chemotherapy, for which Docetaxel ($Taxotere^{(R)}$) has proven efficacy in both settings. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods : Thirty one patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, who had failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, between March 1999 and August 2003, were enrolled in this study. Patients received intravenous docetaxel, either $75mg/m^2$ or $100mg/m^2$, with routine premedication every three weeks. Results : Fourteen patients (45.2%) had a partial response. The median survival and progression-free survival times were 12.5 months (95% CI 7.3-17.6) and 3.0 months (95% CI 1.6-4.5), respectively. This study showed 2 factors gave different survival benefits; the age (< 60 years: 20.1 months vs. ${\geq}60years$: 6.6 months, p = 0.0105) and the histological type (adenocarcinoma: 25.6 months vs. others: 7.9 months, p=0.0055). The predominant toxicity was neutropenia, which occurred as WHO grade 3 or 4 in 38.7 % of patients. One treatment-related death was also reported. Non-hematological toxicity was minor and easily controlled. There were no significant statistical differences in the survival benefit and toxicity between the two doses. Conclusion : Docetaxel, as second-line monotherapy, was well tolerated and effective in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 1996

Alcoholics increased susceptibility to microbial infection that is associated with decreased immunity. but there has been little experimental evidence to support alcoholics-induced increase of microbial infection directly in non-specific immunity. Therefore, we were used the method of phagocytic-plaque including all the stimulating factors for the phagocytosis, subtypes of lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte proliferation. The experimental groups were divided into 3 groups: (1) alcoholics who were hospitalized less than 1 week (newly hospitalized alcoholics), (2) alcoholics who were hospitalized more than 2 weeks (old hospitalized alcoholics), (3) healthy blood donors. We have studied 98 alcoholics and 35 healthy blood donors and control groups. A physician has checked the biological markers and diagnosed the body-condition alcoholics. The immunity and non-specific immunity on the alcoholics were analyzed by using the simultest kit and flow cytometry. Proliferation of the lymphocytes was analyzed by the phytohemmagglutinine mitogen. Phagocytosis and migration properties of leukocytes were identified on the layer formed by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain. Biological markers of alcoholics and control groups, by such as blood glucose, ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volumes of red blood cells, were determined by biochemical and hematological methods. Compared with control groups, cluster of differentiation (CD)3+, CD8+ and CD19+ in alcoholic were more decreased except CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Proliferation of the T-lymphocytes, phagocytosis and migration properties of the leukocytes in alcoholics were decreased compared with those of control groups. According to the results observed in our experiment, they can be summerized as follows: 1, Cellular, humoral and non-specific immunities, are markedly decreased in alcoholics than those in control groups. 2. It is inferred that Phagocytic plaque formation is a very useful method to evaluate phagocytosis and migration properties of the alcoholic leukocytes 3. It is thought that the subtypes of lymphocytes, especially CD4+/CD8+ ratio, are essential methods to analyzed the alcoholic immunity. 4. Specific and non-specific immunity on the old hospitalized alcoholics was slightly increased, which depends upon the alcoholic medication.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 1998

This study purports to examine sociodemographic characteristics and those factors associated with osteoarthritis in women experiencing the disease in order to make suggestions for the prevention and management of osteoarthritis in women. The subjects were 143 women who were diagnosed to have osteoarthritis and under follow-up care at an outpatient department of a university-affiliated hospital. The data were collected through personal interviews by using the structured questionnaire between October 6 and October 24, 1997. The degree of daily living activities was measured with 24 items, which were made based upon Katz Index, Barthel Index and Functional Status Index. Each item has 4 response categories : (1) being able to do alone with any difficulty, (2) being able to do alone with some difficulty, (3) being able to do alone with the help of a person or an instrument, (4) not being able to do at all. The data was analyzed with correlation analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis. The results are summarized as follows : 1. As for the age of the subjects, 59.4% were between 45 and 64 years, while 28% were 65 years and above. The subjects having religion were 71.7% and 44.1% of the subjects were protestants. The educational level was low : 31.5% graduated from elementary school, while 30.1% had no formal education. Those married subjects were 72%. Fifty nine percent of the subjects evaluated their economic status as middle class. 2. Those people from whom the subjects currently receive some help were spouses in 35.8% of the subjects. Likewise, 50% of the subjects indicated spouse as the people from whom they want to receive help. 3. The score of the ability of daily living activities ranged between 48 and 96, with the mean of 78.94. Those means of physical activity, ADL(activities of daily living) and IADL(instrumental activities of daily living) were 14.89, 13.97 and 50.09, respectively. Except for the items of carrying heavy stuff and of washing clothes in the sitting position the subjects showed independence in more than 90% of the items, where Independence is defined as being able to do alone or with the help of a person or an instrument. 4. The increase in age was a significant predictor of the decrease in the ability of daily living activities. Those graduated from middle school and above showed a significantly higher degree in the ability of daily living activities than those with less educational level. The married women revealed significantly higher scores in physical activity, ADL, and IADL than the unmarried ones. The ability of daily living activities was not significantly related to having religion, economic status and living with family. 5. The average duration of experiencing osteoarthritis was 4 years and 7 months. Regarding the site of the onset, 65% of the subjects indicated knees. The women with osteoarthritis for less than 3 years were 65%. The ability of daily living activities was significantly different by the duration of illness : the longer the duration of illness, the less the ability of activities. The above findings suggest the need for developing those programs for prevention disabilities in performing daily living activities and for managing diseases targeting the women of middle and old age, with low educational level, and with unmarried status. In addition, there should be developed an instrument for measuring the ability of daily living activities which reflects daily lives of Korean women with osteoarthritis in order to examine comprehensive effects of osteoarthritis on women's daily lives in this country.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2008

Purpose: Aneuploidy is the cause of diseases such as Down syndrome or Edward syndrome and, more generally, is a major cause of mental retardation and fetal loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MTHFR (C677T) or MTRR (A66G) polymorphisms and fetal aneuploidy. Materials and Methods: Data was collected from 37 women who had a fetus with aneuploidy (cases) and 78 women who had previously delivered at least two healthy children without aneuploidy and did not have a history of miscarriage or abnormal pregnancy (controls). The MTHFR (C677T) or MTRR (A66G) polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results: The frequencies of the MTHFR 677 CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 30.7%, 48.7%, and 20.6% in the control group and 37.8%, 48.6%, and 13.5% in the case group, respectively. There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies between the two groups. For the MTRR A66G polymorphism, the frequencies of the AA, AG and GG genotypes were 50%, 46.1%, and 3.9% in the control group and 13.5%, 81.1%, and 5.4% in case group, respectively. The frequency of the MTRR AG mutant was significantly increased in the case group, with an odds ratio of 6.5 (95% CI: 2.3-18.6, P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that mother carriers with the MTRR G allele have an increased risk of fetal aneuploidy, while the MTHFR T allele is not associated with increased risk of fetal aneuploidy. The MTRR A66G polymorphism may be a risk factor for producing a child with chromosomal aneuploidy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.961-966
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• 2002

Purpose : We compared the underlying or associated diseases according to the frequency of platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia to know the factors predicting which patients will require multiple platelet transfusions. We also compared mortality. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in 72 neonates who received the platelet transfusions in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) between August 1996 and July 2001. Group I received one platelet transfusion and group II received two or more. We compared the frequency of underlying or assodiated diseases such as sepsis/disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(DIC), respiratory distress syndrome(RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC), liver or renal disease, and mortality between two groups. Results : Of the 72 patients, 29(40.2%) received one and 43(59.7%) received two or more transfusions; 16(22.2%) received four or more. There were no statistically significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, and maternal history between two groups. C-section rate was higher in group II(20.7% vs. 55.8%, P<0.05) and the incidence of PDA was higher in group I (55.2% vs. 30.2%, P<0.05). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of sepsis/DIC, RDS, IVH, RDS, CLD, NEC, liver or renal disease, pulmonary hemorrhage and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and mortality between group I and group II. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in clinical morbidity and mortality according to the frequency of platelet transfusion in neonates with thrombocytopenia. Further study is needed to know the predicting factor for multiple platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2010

Purpose : Although eosinophilia is a common laboratory finding in many neonatal intensive care units (ICUs), its causative mechanisms remain obscure. We aimed to determine the causes of eosinophilia in the neonatal ICU environment. Methods : Serial eosinophil counts were determined weekly for 288 hospitalized, appropriately grown neonates. Infants were divided into four groups according to gestational age, and the incidence and etiologic factors of eosinophilia were retrospectively studied. Results : Absolute eosinophilia (>$700/mm^3$) was documented in 18% (52/288) of neonates. Twenty-two infants (42.3%) exhibited mild eosinophilia ($700-999cells/mm^3$), 27 (51.9%) exhibited moderate eosinophilia ($1,000-2,999cells/mm^3$), and 3 (5.8%) exhibited severe eosinophilia (>$3,000cells/mm^3$). Of the 288 infants studied, 54 suffered sepsis. Thirty of these 54 infants (55.6%) showed eosinophilia, and 22 out of the remaining 234 infants (9%) without sepsis showed eosinophilia, indicating that eosinophilia was more prevalent in the sepsis group (P <0.05). All 5 infants suffering from bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia, and 47 out of the remaining 283 infants (16.7%) without bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia. Thus, eosinophilia was more prevalent in the bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (P<0.05). Furthermore, increased prevalence of eosinophilia was associated with respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator use, blood transfusion, and total parenteral nutrition (P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results suggest that eosinophilia is influenced by sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, although it can also occur idiopathically at birth. Moreover, the potential role of eosinophils in conditions such as wound healing and fibrosis in sepsis or chronic lung disease may be a cause of eosinophilia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.443-448
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• 2007

Purpose : To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the antithrombin-III (AT-III) level in the children with acute lung injury (ALI), we analyzed several early predictive factors of death including AT-III level at the onset of ALI and compared the relative risk of them for mortality. Methods : Over a 18-month period, a total of 198 children were admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit and 21 mechanically ventilated patients met ALI criteria, as defined by American-European consensus conference, i.e., bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ lower than 300 without left atrial hypertension. Demographic variables, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, underlying diseases, as well as Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III (PRISM-III) scores and Lung Injury Score (LIS) at admission were collected. AT-III levels were measured within 3 hours after admission. These variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors and entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate their independent prognostic roles. Results : The overall mortality rate was 38.1% (8/21). Non-survivors showed lower age, lower lung compliance, higher PEEP, higher oxygenation index (OI), lower arterial pH, lower $PaO_2/FiO_2$, higher PRISM-III score and LIS, and lower AT-III level. PRISM-III score, LIS, OI and decreased AT-III level (less than 70%) were independently associated with a risk of death and the odds ratio of decreased AT-III level for mortality is 2.75 (95% confidence interval; 1.28-4.12) Conclusion : These results suggest that the decreased level of AT-III is an important prognostic factor in children with ALI and the replacement of AT-III may be considered as an early therapeutic trial.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 1998

We provide the reader with a brief introduction to the neurobiology of neuropeptides. Several comprehensive reviews of the distribution and neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the major neuropeptides have recently appeared. In reviews of the large number of neuropeptides in brain and their occurance in brain regions thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, investigators have sought to determine whether alternations in neuropeptide systems are associated with schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcoholism and neurodegenerative disease. There is no longer any doubt that neuropeptide-containing neurons are altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the factors that has hindered neuropeptide research to a considerable extent is the lack of pharmacological agents that specifically alter the synaptic availability of neuropeptides. With the exception of naloxone and naltrexone, the opiate-receptor antagonists, there are few available neuropeptide- receptor antagonists. Two independent classes of neuropeptide-receptor antagonists has been expected to be clinically useful. Naltrexone, a potent ${\mu}$-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to reduce the need for alcohol consumption. And cholecycstokinin antagonists are now in development as a new class of anxiolytics, which would be expected to be free from tolerance and physical dependence and lack of sedation. In this review, we deal with these two kinds of neuropeptide system, the opioid system and cholesystokinins in the brain. The role of opioid systems in the reinforcement after alcohol consumtion and that of cholesystokinins in the pathogenesis of anxiety will be discussed briefly. As we know, the future for neuropeptides in psychiatry remains bright indeed.