Overgrowth of a costochondral graft in reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint.

We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with temporomandibular ankylosis, which was treated with a costochondral graft and required two further resections because the grafted tissue had overgrown.     

p53 codon 72 polymorphism and risk of cervical carcinoma in Korean women

A common polymorphism of the wild type p53 is known at codon 72 of exon 4, with 2 alleles encoding either arginine (CGC, p53Arg) or proline (CCC, p53Pro). A recent study suggested that this polymorphism affects the susceptibility of p53 protein to human papillomavirus E6 oncoprotein mediated degradation and that individuals homozygous for p53Arg are seven times more susceptible to HPV-associated carcinogenesis of the cervix than heterozygotes. To examine whether the p53Arg genotype could be a risk factor for HPV-associated cervical carcinomas in the Korean population, we analyzed the p53 codon 72 polymorphism status of HPV-positive invasive cervical carcinomas from 52 Korean women and 103 healthy control samples. The proportion of individuals homozygous for p53Arg, homozygous for p53Pro, and heterozygous for the two alleles were 40%, 19%, and 41% in normal healthy controls; 42%, 17%, and 40% in women with HPV-positive invasive cervical carcinoma. There were no significant differences in the distribution of p53 genotypes between controls and cervical carcinomas. This finding indicates that the p53Arg genotype is not associated with an increased susceptibility to cervical carcinoma in Korean women.     

Applications of the pulsatile flow versatile ECLS: in vivo studies

INTRODUCTION: T-PLS (Twin-Pulse Life Support) is the first commercial pulsatile ECLS (Extra Corporeal Life Support) device (1). The dual sac structure of T-PLS can effectively reduce high membrane oxygenator inlet pressure and hemolysis. To verify both the use of T-PLS for ECLS and the advantages of T-PLS, we tested various models. METHOD AND RESULTS: In the partial CPB (cardio pulmonary bypass) model (swine), T-PLS (N = 6), and Biopump (N = 2), a single pulsatile pump (N = 2), were compared. In the case of single pulsatile flow, during pump systole, pressure increased to 700 - 800 mmHg at the inlet port of the membrane oxygenator. fHb, a hemolysis measurement value, was about 80 mg/dL at 3 hours. On the contrary, because of T-PLS's dual sac system, the pressure of T-PLS had a maximum value of about 250 mmHg and fHb was similar to that of the commercial centrifugal pumps. In the total CPB model (bovine, N = 6), the heart was stopped via cardioplegia (Kcl). T-PLS flow was maintained at 3.0-4.5 L/min. T-PLS functioned like a natural heart, having a pulse pressure of 26-43 mmHg and a pulse rate of 40-60 bpm (beats per minute). In the emergency case model (canine, N = 6), T-PLS was started 10 minutes after cardiac arrest from electronic shock. In spite of cardiac arrest for a period of 40 minutes, the heart was recovered after defibrillation. In the ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) model (canine, N = 6), minimal ventilator parameters were set: tidal volume 130 ml, respiration rate = bpm, FiO2 = 10%. Three hours after starting T-PLS, PO2 of the carotid artery blood (after 2 hours: 195 +/- 89.4; after 3 hours: 258 +/- 99.3 mmHg) was above half the value of the femoral artery but was within normal range. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that a portable pulsatile ECLS like T-PLS may be used as a CPB device and as an alternative CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) device in the case of cardiac arrest. Due to the pulsatile flow, oxygenated blood is delivered to the patient without overloading the ARDS patients heart.     

Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties

There is persuasive epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary polyphenols have anti-inflammatory activity. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long been used to combat inflammation. Recently, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been developed and recommended for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, two COX inhibitors have been withdrawn from the market due to unexpected side effects. Because conventional therapeutic and surgical approaches have not been able to fully control the incidence and outcome of many inflammatory diseases, there is an urgent need to find safer compounds and to develop mechanism-based approaches for the management of these diseases. Polyphenols are found in many dietary plant products, including fruits, vegetables, beverages, herbs, and spices. Several of these compounds have been found to inhibit the inflammation process as well as tumorigenesis in experimental animals; they can also exhibit potent biological properties. In addition, epidemiological studies have indicated that populations who consume foods rich in specific polyphenols have lower incidences of inflammatory disease. This paper provides an overview of the research approaches that can be used to unravel the biology and health effects of polyphenols. Polyphenols have diverse biological effects, however, this review will focus on some of the pivotal molecular targets that directly affect the inflammation process.     

New, sensitive rocket immunoelectrophoretic assay for measurement of the reaction between endotoxin and Limulus amoebocyte lysate.

To study the active proteins which participate in the reaction of Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) with lipopolysaccharide, antibody was raised in rabbits against LAL. When LAL was run against rabbit antiserum in crossed immunoelectrophoresis, a complex precipitin pattern appeared. Profound changes took place after reaction of LAL with lipopolysaccharide. The most distinct change was the complete disappearance of the cathodic migrating protein coagulogen, because the antigenicity of coagulogen was lost. Based on this observation, a new rocket immunoelectrophoretic method was developed to detect the disappearance of coagulogen after reaction of LAL with lipopolysaccharide. This assay method was used on clinical specimens (cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, ascites, and urine). It was used as a qualitative test, when a single sample is tested, or as a quantitative assay, when a number of sample dilutions were tested. The new method showed a higher degree of accuracy and sensitivity in comparison with the tube test and it can be used for both research and diagnostic purposes.     

Induction of 4-1BB (CD137) expression by DNA damaging agents in human T lymphocytes

4-1BB(CD137) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is expressed on activated T cells, monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The interaction of 4-1BB and 4-1BB ligand provides a costimulatory signal leading to T-cell activation. The expression of 4-1BB has been known to be activation dependent. Interestingly, we found that expression of 4-1BB increased in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after exposure to mitomycin C. Thus, we tested whether the treatment with other DNA-damaging agents, such as doxorubicin, bleomycin, and gamma-irradiation, could induce 4-1BB expression. The data indicated that 4-1BB expression increased dose-dependently by these agents reaching maximum at 2-3 days after the exposure. We found that the major 4-1BB-expressing population was CD3+ T cells, although a moderate number of CD14+ cells and a few NKB1+ cells also expressed 4-1BB. The levels of 4-1BB expression induced by anticancer drugs, were relatively lower than that induced by CD3 ligation. Interestingly, at subcytotoxic concentrations, doxorubicin and bleomycin considerably enhanced 4-1BB expression induced by CD3 ligation in CEM cells. The ligation of the damage-induced 4-1BB by monoclonal antibody enhanced the viability and proliferating capacity of the cells. In conclusion, the expression of 4-1BB might be one of the cellular responses of the immune cells against various genotoxic stresses.     

Three-dimensional forward solver and its performance analysis for magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) using recessed electrodes

In magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT), we try to reconstruct a cross-sectional resistivity (or conductivity) image of a subject. When we inject a current through surface electrodes, it generates a magnetic field. Using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, we can obtain the induced magnetic flux density from MR phase images of the subject. We use recessed electrodes to avoid undesirable artefacts near electrodes in measuring magnetic flux densities. An MREIT image reconstruction algorithm produces cross-sectional resistivity images utilizing the measured internal magnetic flux density in addition to boundary voltage data. In order to develop such an image reconstruction algorithm, we need a three-dimensional forward solver. Given injection currents as boundary conditions, the forward solver described in this paper computes voltage and current density distributions using the finite element method (FEM). Then, it calculates the magnetic flux density within the subject using the Biot-Savart law and FEM. The performance of the forward solver is analysed and found to be enough for use in MREIT for resistivity image reconstructions and also experimental designs and validations. The forward solver may find other applications where one needs to compute voltage, current density and magnetic flux density distributions all within a volume conductor.     

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Forearm and Hand Muscles in Patients With Distal Radius Fracture

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) can be used to assess bone status with measurement of Hounsfield unit (HU). The objective of this study was to evaluate whether HU of muscle might be associated with parameters of bone and muscle status. Methods: We reviewed 71 women aged over 50 yr of age who had distal radius fracture and underwent CT evaluation of affected wrist. We assessed HUs of forearm flexor muscles (flexor digitorum superficialis) and thenar muscles and bone HUs at the capitate and the ulnar head. Other parameters included femur neck and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), upper extremity lean mass, hand grip strength, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. We performed correlation analyses to determine associations between variables. Results: Thenar and forearm muscle HUs were significantly correlated with each other, but not with other parameters. HUs of the capitate and ulnar head were positively correlated with femur neck and lumbar BMDs and inversely correlated with age. Ulnar head HU was positively correlated hand grip strength. Conclusions: HUs of forearm and thenar muscles did not show significant correlations with bone or muscle parameters, although bone HUs correlated well with bone mineral densities. These results support the opportunistic use of CT for evaluating bone fragility. Clinical usefulness of muscle HU measurement needs further studies.     

Aberrant gene expression associated with recurrent pregnancy loss

Recent studies indicate that a number of factors including chromosomal abnormalities, immunological feto-maternal rejection, hormonal irregulation and anatomical factors are involved in provoking recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This indicates that normal cellular regulation of these factors is required for maintaining normal pregnancy. In addition, it is expected that biological processes for maintaining normal pregnancy require a series of differential gene expression. As expected, our previous investigations revealed that there are >/=30 genes showing different levels of expression between normal and RPL patients. In addition, other research groups have also identified a number of genes that are expressed aberrantly in pregnancy failure. In this review, recent study on aberrant expression levels of genes, which are grouped as immunity-related, angiogenesis-related, apoptosis-related and other groups of genes, will be discussed.