Hye-Sun Shin

Cerebral blood volume calculated by dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging: preliminary correlation study with glioblastoma genetic profiles.

Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) enhanced perfusion MR imaging in predicting major genetic alterations in glioblastomas. Materials and Methods Twenty-five patients (M:F = 13∶12, mean age: 52.1±15.2 years) with pathologically proven glioblastoma who underwent DSC MR imaging before surgery were included. On DSC MR imaging, the normalized relative tumor blood volume (nTBV) of the enhancing solid portion of each tumor was calculated by using dedicated software (Nordic TumorEX, NordicNeuroLab, Bergen, Norway) that enabled semi-automatic segmentation for each tumor. Five major glioblastoma genetic alterations (epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), Ki-67, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and p53) were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and analyzed for correlation with the nTBV of each tumor. Statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired Student t test, ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Results The nTBVs of the MGMT methylation-negative group (mean 9.5±7.5) were significantly higher than those of the MGMT methylation-positive group (mean 5.4±1.8) (p = .046). In the analysis of EGFR expression-positive group, the nTBVs of the subgroup with loss of PTEN gene expression (mean: 10.3±8.1) were also significantly higher than those of the subgroup without loss of PTEN gene expression (mean: 5.6±2.3) (p = .046). Ki-67 labeling index indicated significant positive correlation with the nTBV of the tumor (p = .01). Conclusion We found that glioblastomas with aggressive genetic alterations tended to have a high nTBV in the present study. Thus, we believe that DSC-enhanced perfusion MR imaging could be helpful in predicting genetic alterations that are crucial in predicting the prognosis of and selecting tailored treatment for glioblastoma patients.

Group of serum inflammatory markers and periodontitis-metabolic syndrome coexistence in Koreans.

BACKGROUND Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that individuals with periodontitis have a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Chronic infection and subsequent production of systemic inflammatory markers may be associated with this increased risk. The aim of present study is to determine whether the presence of periodontitis and MetS is associated with a group or an individual of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and homocysteine (HCY) in the serum of a Korean population. METHODS Medical and periodontal parameters, including CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and HCY, were evaluated in 118 individuals (73 healthy; 20 with periodontitis only; 13 with MetS only; and 12 with both). The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. Age, sex, monthly household income, smoking, and drinking were evaluated as confounders. Analysis of covariance, linear regression analysis, and factor analysis were applied. RESULTS The group of serologic cytokines was synergistically associated with the periodontitis-MetS coexistence. TNF-α and IL-6 were two representing serologic cytokines in the group. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a group of systemic biologic markers represented by TNF-α and IL-6 might mediate the association between MetS and periodontitis adjusted for various confounders. Additional evidence is needed to generalize our results more widely.

Association Between Periodontitis and Salivary Nitric Oxide Metabolites Among Community Elderly Koreans

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide (NO) is known to play an important role in many biologic systems, although the relationship between NO metabolites and periodontitis remains controversial. Moreover, little evidence of an association between salivary NO (S-NO) and periodontitis in the general population has been reported. This study aims to investigate the relationship between S-NO and periodontitis in an elderly Korean population. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using participants and salivary samples from Sunchang Elderly Cohort Study. The total number of final participants was 242 (91 males and 151 females; 48 to 93 years old). Periodontitis was determined by a clinical attachment loss of >6 mm at six probe points on 12 index teeth. NO was measured in unstimulated saliva via the Griess reaction. Sociodemographic status, general/oral health, and health-related behaviors were investigated as confounders. Bivariate analysis and multivariable linear regression analyses including confounders were applied. RESULTS After controlling for age, sex, education, salivary flow rate, number of teeth, smoking status, physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes, three metabolites of S-NO (total NO, nitrite, and nitrate) were independently associated with the percentage of probe points exhibiting periodontitis. Of these linear associations, total NO was found to have the strongest correlation with periodontitis (partial r = 0.181, P = 0.009). These associations were most pronounced in females (except for nitrate), non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that high concentrations of S-NO are associated with severe periodontitis. Thus, S-NO may serve as a potential biologic marker for detecting and monitoring periodontitis.

Periodontitis Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Koreans: Results from the Yangpyeong Cohort Study

To investigate the association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment in elderly Koreans.

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinases cross-sectionally related to periodontitis and metabolic syndrome in community Koreans.

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be associated with periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate whether the existence of periodontitis and MetS is cross-sectionally associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among community Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical and periodontal parameters were evaluated by physicians and dentists in 314 subjects (199 healthy, 58 only periodontitis, 34 only MetS and 23 both). The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. MMP-8, 9, 13 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Age, gender, monthly household income, smoking and drinking were interviewed as confounders. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied. Gender-stratified analyses were applied. RESULTS After controlling for various confounders, MMP-8, MMP-9 and MMP-13 in GCF were significantly associated with periodontitis in both genders and MMP-9, MMP-13 were associated with MetS in women. MMP-8, MMP-9 and MMP-13 showed association with periodontitis-MetS coexistence non-synergistically in both genders. MMP-9 was synergistically associated with periodontitis-MetS coexistence in women. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-13 in GCF were independently related to coexistence of periodontitis and MetS. MMP-9 and MMP-13 could be an appropriate common indicator of periodontitis and MetS in women. Further studies might guarantee that MMPs in GCF could screen periodontitis and MetS.

Korean Version of Child Perceptions Questionnaire and Dental Caries among Korean Children

Although dental caries has been a major oral health problem for children, the association between dental caries and oral health related quality of life has been still controversial. This study aims to evaluate the association between the Korean version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (K-CPQ) and dental caries among Korean children. Eight hundred one school children aged 8 to 14 years participated in this study. After the K-CPQ was validated we performed an association study. The K-CPQ was self-reported. Dental caries were evaluated by dentists using the World Health Organization Index. Correlation analyses (intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson’s correlation coefficient [r]) and linear regression models (partial r) including age, gender and type of school were applied. Untreated deciduous dental caries was associated with the K-CPQ8-10 overall score (partial r = 0.15, P <0.05). The link was highlighted in the domains of functional limitation and emotional well-being. Filled teeth due to caries (FT) was associated with the K-CPQ11-14 overall domain (partial r = 0.14, P = 0.002) as well as with the oral symptoms domain (partial r = 0.16, P = 0.001). This association was highlighted among public school children. Our data indicate that K-CPQ was independently associated with dental caries. The K-CPQ could be a practical tool to evaluate the subjective oral health among Korean children aged 8 to 14.

Association between periodontitis and salivary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine among Korean rural adults.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the association between salivary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and periodontitis among community-dwelling Korean adults. METHODS A total of 211 adults (80 men and 131 women) were cross-sectionally surveyed from the Sunchang Longevity Cohort. Periodontitis was defined as having at least 30% of teeth with proximal attachment loss ≥5 mm. The salivary 8-OHdG level was categorized into tertiles: low (<0.916 ng/ml), medium (0.916 to <2.675 ng/ml) and high (≥2.675 ng/ml). Sociodemographic, habitual and systemic health-related factors were controlled for. Logistic regression analysis was performed for the outcome of severe periodontitis. Analysis of covariance in general linear model was performed for the outcome of 8-OHdG. RESULTS The high 8-OHdG level showed a significant association with periodontitis. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 2.40 (1.05-5.51), and it was highlighted by adding the interaction term with drinking and smoking. The adjusted mean log-transformed value of 8-OHdG was significantly higher in the severe periodontitis group (1.40 ng/ml) than in the control group (1.02 ng/ml) (ancova, P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS 8-OHdG was associated with periodontitis. Thus, salivary 8-OHdG could be a useful marker for periodontitis.