B.C. Kim

Facial Soft Tissue Thickness Database for Craniofacial Reconstruction in Korean Adults

Abstract:  One hundred Korean adults (50 men, 50 women) were scanned in the upright position using a cone‐beam CT (CBCT) scanner. The soft tissue (ST) thicknesses were measured at 31 landmarks, 10 midline and 21 bilateral landmark sites, and the means and standard deviations were obtained for male and female subjects. While 18 of 31 landmarks showed sex differences, the majority showed higher values for male subjects with the exception of a few landmark sites corresponding to the zygoma area, which showed smaller values in men than in women. The mandibular area showed greater differences between the right and left sides. Overall, the ST thickness measurements obtained in this study can be used as a database for the forensic craniofacial reconstruction of Korean adult faces.

The serum ferritin level is an important predictor of hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischaemic stroke.

Background and purpose:  Because hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is associated with morbidity and mortality, we need a better understanding of the factors that predict HT after ischaemic stroke. HT is a well‐known factor that limits the use of thrombolytics and it negates the effect of treatment. This study investigated whether a high serum ferritin level is associated with HT in acute ischaemic stroke.

Thrombolysis as a factor associated with favorable outcomes in patients with unclear-onset stroke.

Background and purpose:  Clinical and radiological features of patients with unclear‐onset stroke do not differ significantly from those with known‐onset stroke. There is a lack of evidence for the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in patients with unclear‐onset stroke. We sought to provide supportive data on the safety and efficiency of thrombolysis in patients with unclear‐onset stroke.

Spontaneous Vertebral Artery Dissection Mimicking Cluster Headache

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are characterized by severe, strictly unilateral pain in the territory of the distribution of the trigeminal nerve in association with autonomic manifestations (1). The International Headache Society (IHS) classification divides strictly unilateral headaches into three groups: cluster headache (CH), episodic and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), and shortlasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (1). Symptomatic TACs are not common. However, they have been reported in association with the lesions of the sellar or parasellar structures, internal carotid artery dissection and vertebro-basilar artery diseases (1, 2). As for the disorders involving the vertebral artery, a case of a vertebral artery aneurysm and some cases of vertebral artery dissections (VADs) with lateral medullary infarctions have been reported (3–6). To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any case report of VAD without infarction that was manifested by cluster-like headache. We describe here a case of a spontaneous VAD that presented with cluster-like headache without other neurological manifestations.

Cell death and intracellular distribution of hematoporphyrin in a KB cell line.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of intracellular photosensitizer distribution on tumor cell death after photodynamic therapy (PDT). BACKGROUND DATA The photosensitizer accumulates in tumor tissue during PDT, and generates intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in tumor cell death. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was carried out to elucidate the effects of PDT in a KB oral cancer cell line using hematoporphyrin with irradiation at 635 nm and 5 mW/cm(2). After irradiation, the MTT reduction method, agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and Diff-Quick staining were performed. The intracellular ROS level was measured by DCF-DA. Intracellular hematoporphyrin was monitored with a confocal microscope, and Western blot and caspase activity assays were performed. RESULTS In our study, cell survival was reduced by about 50% after 3 h of hematoporphyrin incubation time. In DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry, and Diff-Quick assay, necrosis was identified within 12 h and apoptosis soon thereafter. Confocal microscopy revealed that hematoporphyrin was localized in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus as time passed. The quantities of intracellular ROS correlated with the time of hematoporphyrin accumulation. Additionally, Western blot analysis of Bcl-2/Bax, the release of cytochrome C, and activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 showed that apoptosis followed the mitochondria-dependent pathway. CONCLUSION PDT with hematoporphyrin in the KB cell line showed morphological changes of cell necrosis and apoptosis, which were associated with the time of distribution and localization of hematoporphyrin. Also, the apoptosis evoked followed the mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Effect of laser irradiation on crystalline structure of enamel surface during whitening treatment with hydrogen peroxide

OBJECTIVE This study is to evaluate the effect of laser activation on the whitening and crystalline structure of enamel surface during whitening treatment with hydrogen peroxide. METHODS Bovine teeth were treated with whitening gel containing 35% hydrogen peroxide. A whitening gel was applied on the enamel surface for a period of 5 min, and then irradiated using a diode laser (740 nm) during whitening treatment for 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180s for the GL0-W, GL30-W, GL60-W, GL120-W and GL180-W groups, respectively. The total whitening application time was 30 min for all groups. RESULTS Laser-irradiated enamel groups showed a similar lightness compared to the GL0-W group. The thickness of porous layer observed on the enamel surface of GL0-W group was decreased by increasing the laser irradiation time. While the Ca and P contents of the GL0-W group were lower than those of the non-whitening treated group (GL0-C), the Ca and P contents of the GL180-W group were similar to those of the GL180-C group. The enamel crystallinity was dramatically decreased by whitening treatment without laser irradiation. However, the decrease of crystallinity was protected by laser irradiation during whitening treatment. Raman measurement verified that laser irradiation could prevent the loss of mineral compositions on enamel and maintain its crystalline structure. SIGNIFICANCE The professional whitening treatment with hydrogen peroxide and diode laser activation improves not only the whitening effect but also protects the change of enamel structure compared to the treatment with only gel.

Valproate associated diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Sir, Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug for the prevention and treatment of generalized and focal epilepsy. Although clinical bleeding with this drug seems relatively uncommon, VPA possesses a well-described association with a tendency toward increased bleeding [1]. A variety of laboratory hematological abnormalities in the coagulation system that are associated with VPA have been reported. Studies have described VPA as affecting platelet function, and it also may affect coagulation factors, such as fibrinogen and factor VIII [2]. Affected individuals have usually been children undergoing chronic VPA treatment. In addition, there have been reports of coagulation disorders, with fatal manifestations, in valproate therapy [3]. However, no previous study has reported reversible diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) without thrombocytopenia in a patient receiving VPA monotherapy. A 15-year-old boy with epilepsy was admitted to our hospital because of a 3-minute, generalized seizure. He had been receiving chronic VPA treatment since age 10 for well-controlled, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. He had tolerated the VPA well throughout the treatment, without obvious adverse effects and, notably, without any evidence of coagulopathy. He had no history of bleeding events. And he had not been treated with other medications. His VPA monotherapy (20mg/kg body weight/day) continued after this incident. Four months later, he presented with hemoptysis and dyspnea. On physical examination, we heard crackles over both his lungs. The neurologic examination was normal. Chest radiographs revealed diffuse lung infiltrations in both lungs, suggestive of DAH, and extensive hemorrhagic aspirations (Figures A, D, and E). Laboratory tests showed his hemoglobin was 14.6 mg/dL and his platelet count was 215,000/mm. Bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen were entirely normal. The patient s plasma VPA level was 69.75 lg/mL (reference range, 50 to 100 lg/mL). WBC count was 15100/mL, and CRP was 0.5 mg/dL. We administered broad-spectrum antibiotics but withdrew them immediately because of the patient s severe skin rash. To determine the etiology of the pulmonary process, we performed a diagnostic bronchoscopy, with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and a transbronchial biopsy. The bronchoscopy revealed scattered blood aspirates in both bronchial trees, which, upon cytologic examinations of the BAL fluid and transbronchial biopsy specimen, were consistent with alveolar hemorrhage. Cultures for bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria, as well as viral cultures, from the patient s blood, urine, and BAL specimens were negative. Autoimmune antibody tests, including for ANA, ANCA, anticardiolipin Ab, and anti-GBM Ab, for Goodpasture s syndrome or vasculitis were also entirely negative. On day 2 after the VPA treatment termination, the patient s chest radiographs showed marked improvement (Figure B). After 1 week, he had recovered

Dichloromethane fraction from Gardenia jasminoides: DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibition and oral cancer cell death induction.

Context: A growing body of evidence shows that compounds of plant origin have the ability to prevent cancer. The fruit of gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae), has long been used as a food additive and herbal medicine, and its pharmacological actions, such as protective activity against oxidative damage, cytotoxic effect, and anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity, have already been reported. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibitor in various solvent fractions of Gardenia extract and examine the induction of oral cancer cell death upon treatment with Gardenia extract. Materials and methods: The methanol extract of Gardenia was partitioned with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. Results: In the DNA topoisomerase 1 assay, n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited topoisomerase 1 and led to a decrease in the cell viability of KB cells. The dichloromethane fraction (0.1 mg/mL) also showed 77% inhibition of cell viability in KB cells compared with HaCaT cells. Treatment with dichloromethane fraction led to apoptotic cell death as evidenced by flow cytometric analysis and morphological changes. In addition, treatment with Gardenia extract dichloromethane fraction led to the partial increase of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the dichloromethane fraction from Gardenia extract induces apoptotic cell death by DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibition in KB cells. These findings suggest the possibility that Gardenia extract could be developed as an anticancer modality.

Red light-emitting diode irradiation regulates oxidative stress and inflammation through SPHK1/NF-κB activation in human keratinocytes

Oxidative stress, in which the amount of oxidants exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defense system, is a well-accepted pathogenesis of several human diseases. Light-emitting diode irradiation (LEDI) is an efficient strategy to counteract this condition. The biological effect of phototherapy, using visible light, has attracted recent attention especially in dermatological practice. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of red light irradiation. We evaluated these effects of LEDI in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells under phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Microarray analysis revealed changes in 309 genes after LEDI. LEDI at 625 nm produced ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects. One of the most important genes identified by microarray analysis was sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), which is a key molecule in sphingolipid metabolism. SPHK1 knock-down drastically reduced ROS scavenging efficiency as well as expression levels of inflammation-related proteins in PMA-treated HaCaT cells. These results not only indicate the potential for the clinical application of 625-nm LEDI in treating skin disorders via ROS and/or inflammation, but also suggest SPHK1 as a potential therapeutic target in phototherapy.

Cell proliferation and migration mechanism of caffeoylserotonin and serotonin via serotonin 2B receptor in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

Caffeoylserotonin (CaS), one derivative of serotonin (5-HT), is a secondary metabolite produced in pepper fruits with strong antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of CaS on proliferation and migration of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells compared to that of 5-HT. CaS enhanced keratinocyte proliferation even under serum deficient condition. This effect of CaS was mediated by serotonin 2B receptor (5-HT2BR) related to the cell proliferation effect of 5-HT. We also confirmed that both CaS and 5-HT induced G1 progression via 5-HT2BR/ERK pathway in HaCaT cells. However, Akt pathway was additionally involved in upregulated expression levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin E induced by CaS by activating 5-HT2BR. Moreover, CaS and 5-HT induced cell migration in HaCaT cells via 5-HT2BR. However, 5-HT regulated cell migration only through ERK/AP-1/MMP9 pathway while additional Akt/NF-κB/MMP9 pathway was involved in the cell migration effect of CaS. These results suggest that CaS can enhance keratinocyte proliferation and migration. It might have potential as a reagent beneficial for wound closing and cell regeneration.