Expression of Human beta-defensin 2 mRNA by Lipopolysaccharide in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Recently the transcriptional up-regulation of human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be associated with NF-kappaB binding site. Although the general mechanisms of NF-kappaB activation by LPS stimulation are well understood, less is known about the signal transduction pathway leading to LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the intracellular signals involved in LPS-induced HBD-2 mRNA expression in HCE cells. Pretreatments of inhibitors for NF-kappaB, protein tyrosine kinase, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) attenuated the LPS-induced NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and HBD-2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, pretreatments with inhibitors for protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C, or phosphatidate phosphohydrolase prevented LPS-induced HBD-2 mRNA expression and HBD-2 prmoter-driven luciferase activity. However, the increased expression of HBD-2 mRNA and the increased DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB induced by LPS were not changed by the blockage of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and of addition of antioxidants. Forskolin, a protein kinase A (PKA) agonist did not induce HBD-2 mRNA expression. These data demonstrate that LPS-induced HBD-2 mRNA expression via NF-kappaB is, at least in part, dependent on PKC, p38 MAPK, JNK, and protein tyrosine kinase status, but appears to be independent on PKA, ERK and ROS in HCE cells. Taken together, there may be more than one signaling pathways that lead to LPS-induced up-regulation of HBD-2 mRNA expression in HCE cells.

A Study on the Clinical and Statistical Analysis of the Zygoma Fracture

The zygomatic bone is a major portion of the midfacial skeleton, forms the malar eminence and the four adjacent bony articulation, when the zygomatic bone was fractured, the patient was suffered from not only esthetic facial contour problem but also functional disturbance such as eyeball movement and masticatory action. This retrospective study comprised 269 patients who had 280 zygoma fractures by various accidents and treated in Pusan Paik hopital between October 1994 and October 1999. The medical records of these 269 patients with zygoma fracture were reviewed and analysed. The studied items are the time of the accidents, the age and sex distribution, the causes of the injuries, anatomical types of the fractures, associated maxillofacial and non- maxillofacial trauma, the treatment methods and fixation materials and the days of hospitalization and complications. The results were obtained. The most patients with zygomatic bone fracture were injured between 22:00 and 04:00. The incidence of zygomatic bone fracture was shown to be decreased annually. The monthly incidence was the highest in January, May and October. The highest incidence in age distribution was the second and third decade(45%) and male to female ratio was 4.7:1. And the most common cause of the zygomatic bone fracture was motor vehicle accident(51%) followed by fall down, assault, industrial accident and sports accident. The most common anatomical site of the zygomatic bone fracutre was group III type fracture(33%) by Knight and North Classification. Associated maxillofacial bone fracture was mainly maxilla, followed by nasal bone, mandible, and frontal bone. The most prevalent time interval between onset and surgical intervention was within the 10 days and the prevalent interval time between the surgical intervention and discharge was within the 14 days. Postoperative compliction was malocclusion(2 cases).

Facial Rejuvenation Surgery Combined with Malarplasty or Angleplasty

In general, Oriental people have thicker facial skin with more subcutaneous adipose tissues than Caucacian people. These differences result in characteristic Oriental aging face combined with squared facial contours. Conventional face lift essentially consists of facial wrinklinges and reducing flaccidity of facial skin but squared facial contouring is not considered. Flat and squared face can be improved by reduction malarplasty and mandibular angleplasty, thoses are the common facial bone contouring surgeries performed in the Orient. If patients, who have aging face, also have flat and squared face, it is necessary to be performed face lift and facial bone contouring surgery simultaneously. We have experienced 18 cases of patients with aging face and squared face who were operated face lifting procedures combined with maloplasty or angleplasty(from Apr.1997 to Mar. 2001). And We have satisfactory results on most patients(16 cases of patients were satisfied with results).