Hypoplastic AI with Highly Variable Expressivity Caused by ENAM Mutations.

Tooth enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body, is formed after a complex series of interactions between dental epithelial tissue and the underlying ectomesenchyme. Nonsyndromic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a rare genetic disorder affecting tooth enamel without other nonoral symptoms. In this study, we identified 2 novel ENAM mutations in 2 families with hypoplastic AI by whole exome sequencing.

Associations between Social and Physical Environments, and Physical Activity in Adults from Urban and Rural Regions.

Objectives: This study investigates investigated the relationship between social and physical environments, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) amongst adults in both rural and urban areas within Korea.

Methods: A sample of 128,735 adults from the 2013 Community Health Survey (CHS) was analyzed using a multilevel logistic analysis.

Results: Urban residents with higher satisfaction in public transportation satisfaction and rural residents with more access to sports parks, hiking trails, and bike cycle paths were more likely to be active.

Unenhanced 320-row multidetector computed tomography of the brain in children: comparison of image quality and radiation dose among wide-volume, one-shot volume, and helical scan modes.

Background: The 320-row multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanner has multiple scan modes, including volumetric modes.

Objective: To compare the image quality and radiation dose of 320-row CT in three acquisition modes - helical, one-shot volume, and wide-volume scan - at pediatric brain imaging.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-seven children underwent unenhanced brain CT using one of three scan modes (helical scan, n=21; one-shot volume scan, n=17; wide-volume scan, n=19).

Succinylated chitosan derivative has local protective effects on intestinal inflammation.

We have previously reported on the anti-inflammatory effects of a water-soluble chitosan derivative, zwitterionic chitosan (ZWC). In the present study, we hypothesized that orally-administered ZWC would provide local anti-inflammatory effects in the intestinal lumen. ZWC indeed showed anti-inflammatory effects in various models including peritoneal macrophages, engineered THP1 monocytes, and Caco-2 cells.

Nephrocalcinosis in Amelogenesis Imperfecta Caused by the FAM20A Mutation.

Background/aims: Enamel-renal syndrome is characterized by nephrocalcinosis, enamel defects, gingival hyperplasia and eruption failures. It has been recently identified that recessive mutations in the FAM20A gene result in amelogenesis imperfecta (AI)-gingival fibromatosis. The aim of this research to determine whether AI patients with known -FAM20A mutations also have nephrocalcinosis.

A Comparison of Radiofrequency-Based Microtenotomy and Arthroscopic Release of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Tendon in Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose: To compare the clinical effects of radiofrequency (RF)-based microtenotomy and arthroscopic release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon in patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis through a prospective randomized controlled study.

Methods: A total of 46 patients were randomly assigned to receive arthroscopic release (group A, 24 patients) or RF-based microtenotomy (group B, 22 patients). The visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, flexion-extension arc, operation time, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and grip power of groups A and B were compared during the recovery phases for up to 2 postoperative years.

Quercetin Suppresses CYR61-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma AGS Cells.

Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) is an extracellular matrix-associated protein involved in survival, tumorigenesis, and drug resistance. Therefore, we examined the effects of flavones against CYR61-overexpressing human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS (AGS-cyr61) cells, which show remarkable resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), adriamycin (ADR), tamoxifen (TAM), paclitaxel (PAC), and docetaxel (DOC). Among the tested flavones, quercetin had the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration (IC) and significantly reduced the viability of AGS-cyr61 cells compared with AGS cells.

Prediction of agenesis of the mandibular second premolar using the developmental stages of the mandibular canine, first premolar, and second molar.

Objective: The aim in this study was to suggest a standard for early diagnosis of agenesis of the mandibular second premolars (L5) by estimating the developmental stages of the mandibular canines (L3), first premolars (L4), and second molars (L7).

Design: Among all 5136 pediatric patients aged 5-11 years who received panoramic radiographs between June 2008 and December 2009 at Seoul National University Dental Hospital, 215 control patients and 74 agenesis patients who met inclusion criteria were analyzed. The developmental stages of all L3, L4, L5, and L7 of control and agenesis patients were estimated using the method proposed by Demirjian.

Minimal clinically important differences in Rowe and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index scores after arthroscopic repair of anterior shoulder instability.

Background: The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the threshold value for a change that would be considered meaningful by the patient. The purpose of this study was to determine the MCIDs for the Rowe score and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) score after arthroscopic repair of anterior shoulder instability.

Methods: The study enrolled 198 patients who underwent an arthroscopic stabilization procedure for anterior shoulder instability.

Rapid Differential Diagnosis of Breast Microcalcification Using Targeted Near-Infrared Fluorophores.

Early detection and differential diagnosis of breast microcalcifications are of significant importance in effective treatment of early breast cancer, because mineral composition of breast calcification is directly associated with different pathological states. However, applying image-based modalities for component identification in breast calcification remains challenging, because no calcification-specific contrast agent is available to distinguish between benign and malignant (type I and type II, respectively) calcifications of breast lesions. In this study, real-time near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging of breast microcalcifications using targeted NIR fluorophores in combination with dual-channel NIR fluorescence imaging system is reported.

ZW800-1 for Assessment of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in a Photothrombotic Stroke Model.

Since it is known that serum albumin-bound dyes can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after ischemia, Evans Blue dye is commonly used to assess BBB disruption because of its rapid binding to serum albumin. In addition, indocyanine green (ICG), a clinically available dye, binds to serum proteins that could also be used for assessment of BBB impairment. Unlike these near-infrared (NIR) dyes, zwitterionic NIR fluorophore (ZW800-1) shows no serum binding, ultralow non-specific tissue uptake, and rapid elimination from the body via renal filtration.

Discovery of an Orally Bioavailable Benzofuran Analogue That Serves as a β-Amyloid Aggregation Inhibitor for the Potential Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

We developed an orally active and blood-brain-barrier-permeable benzofuran analogue (8, MDR-1339) with potent antiaggregation activity. Compound 8 restored cellular viability from Aβ-induced cytotoxicity but also improved the learning and memory function of AD model mice by reducing the Aβ aggregates in the brains. Given the high bioavailability and brain permeability demonstrated in our pharmacokinetic studies, 8 will provide a novel scaffold for an Aβ-aggregation inhibitor that may offer an alternative treatment for AD.

Small molecule delivery to solid tumors with chitosan-coated PLGA particles: A lesson learned from comparative imaging.

For polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver more drugs to tumors than free drug solution, it is critical that the NPs establish interactions with tumor cells and avoid removal from the tumors. Since traditional polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface layer interferes with the cell-NP interaction in tumors, we used a water-soluble and blood-compatible chitosan derivative called zwitterionic chitosan (ZWC) as an alternative surface coating for poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs. The ZWC-coated PLGA NPs showed pH-dependent surface charge profiles and differential cellular interactions according to the pH of the medium.

Real-time imaging of metastatic bone tumors with a targeted near-infrared fluorophore.

Tumors of the prostate or breast are particularly likely to metastasize to the bone, and early diagnosis of metastatic bone tumors is important for designing an effective treatment strategy. Imaging modalities for the detection of bone metastasis are limited, and radiation-based techniques are commonly used. Here, we investigated the efficacy of selective near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence detection of metastatic bone tumors and its role in the detection of bone metastasis in prostate and breast cancer cell lines and in a xenograft mouse model.

PLPP/CIN Regulates Seizure Activity by the Differential Modulation of Calsenilin Binding to GluN1 and Kv4.2 in Mice.

Calsenilin (CSEN) binds to Kv4.2 (an A-type K channel) as well as -methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), and modulates their activities. However, the regulatory mechanisms for CSEN-binding to Kv4.

Effects of ADAM10 and ADAM17 Inhibitors on Natural Killer Cell Expansion and Antibody-dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Against Breast Cancer Cells .

Background/aim: The inhibition of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) has the potential to become a novel approach for natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ADAM10 and ADAM17 inhibitors on expanded NK cell to enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in breast cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: NK cells were expanded in medium supplemented with an ADAM10 or ADAM17 inhibitor to prevent the shedding of soluble CD16/FcγRIII.

Chemoresistance to 5-FU inhibited by 635 nm LED irradiation in CD133+ KB cell line.

Consistent with cancer stem cell theory, a small fraction of cancer cells, described as cancer stem cells (CSCs), may promote tumor recurrence and anti-cancer drug resistance. Therefore, much effort has been devoted to the development of CSC targeted therapy to vanquish drug resistance. In this study, we have investigated the effect of multiple light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation treatments with conventional anti-cancer drugs on CSC-like oral cancer cells that acquired stemness by ectopic over expression of CD133.

Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Renovascular Hypertension.

Background/aims: Renovascular hypertension (RVHT) is an important cause of childhood hypertension. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean children with RVHT.

Methods: Children treated for RVHT between 2000 and 2015 at our center were retrospectively reviewed.

Tannic acid-mediated surface functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are decorated with various types of molecules to control their functions and interactions with specific cells. We previously used polydopamine (pD) to prime-coat poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs and conjugated functional ligands onto the NPs via the pD coating. In this study, we report tannic acid (TA) as an alternative prime coating that is functionally comparable to pD but does not have drawbacks of pD such as optical properties and interference of ligand characterization.

Long-term repeated rituximab treatment for childhood steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Rituximab (RTX) can be used as a rescue therapy for steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). However, the efficacy and safety of long-term, repeated use of RTX are not established. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term, repeated RTX treatment in children.

Visible Light-Cured Glycol Chitosan Hydrogel Containing a Beta-Cyclodextrin-Curcumin Inclusion Complex Improves Wound Healing In Vivo.

Scarless wound healing is ideal for patients suffering from soft tissue defects. In this study, we prepared a novel wet dressing (β-CD-ic-CUR/GC) based on the visible light-cured glycol chitosan (GC) hydrogel and inclusion complex between beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and curcumin (CUR). We also evaluated its efficacy in the acceleration of wound healing as compared to that of CUR-loaded GC (CUR/GC).

Dental treatment under general anesthesia in an intellectually disabled child with intellectually disabled parents.

Children with an intellectual disability often demonstrate lack of cooperation during dental treatment and require behavioral management. A child with mild intellectual disability can be managed adequately using restraints and medication. However, in cases of profound intellectual disability, dental treatment under general anesthesia is usually required.

A High-Affinity Repebody for Molecular Imaging of EGFR-Expressing Malignant Tumors.

The accurate detection of disease-related biomarkers is crucial for the early diagnosis and management of disease in personalized medicine. Here, we present a molecular imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing malignant tumors using an EGFR-specific repebody composed of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules. The repebody was labeled with either a fluorescent dye or radioisotope, and used for imaging of EGFR-expressing malignant tumors using an optical method and positron emission tomography.

Pharmacokinetics of tafamidis, a transthyretin amyloidosis drug, in rats.

1. We characterized the pharmacokinetics of tafamidis, a novel drug to treat transthyretin-related amyloidosis, in rats after intravenous and oral administration at doses of 0.3-3 mg/kg.

Body image, weight management behavior, nutritional knowledge and dietary habits in high school boys in Korea and China.

Background: Adolescence is an important period with rapid physical growth transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Distorted body image can result in eating disorders or inadequate nutrient intakes in adolescence. Limited research has been done with high school boys in both Korea and China.