Comparison of Tight Junction Protein-Related Gene mRNA Expression Levels between Male and Female Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Male predominance has been observed in the erosive reflux disease (ERD), but reverse finding in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). This suggests sex-specific medicine approach is needed but its mechanism is remained to be elucidated. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and mRNA expression levels of tight junction-related proteins between male and female gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: Sixteen healthy controls, 45 ERD, and 14 NERD patients received upper endoscopies and completed questionnaires. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions of occludin (OCLN), zonal occludens (ZO) 1, claudin-1 (CLDN1) and claudin-4 (CLDN4), and neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) were performed in the distal esophageal mucosal specimen. These results were analyzed by sex. RESULTS: Female GERD patients were affected more by reflux symptoms than males. The impairment of overall quality of life was more prominent in female patients with reflux symptoms than male patients (5.6±0.2 vs 4.9±0.6, p=0.009). The levels of OCLN mRNA expression were significantly lower in the male ERD group. On the other hand, those of CLDN1, CLDN4, and NK1R except ZO-1 were significantly higher in the male ERD group. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that female ERD/NERD patients were affected more by GERD and male ERD patients showed significant changes of tight junction protein mRNA expression levels.

Preliminary investigation and analysis of the association between ICVD and dentition defect among part of the old patients in Harbin / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate and analyze if there is association between ischemic cerebral vascular disease (ICVD)and the time factor of dentition defect or not by the way of questionnaire.The investigation and analy-sis will provide the theoretical basis and reference in order to study the relationship between oral disease and brain functional disease as well as ICVD.Methods 159 elderly patients who diagnosed definitely as brain functional dis-ease and dentition defect or oral prosthesis at the same time were selected.The oral condition and cerebral vascular disease history were recorded and analyzed.Results There were only 27 individuals who had teeth missing without ICVD,accounted for 16.98%.The rest of 132 individuals who had both teeth missing and ICVD accounted for 83.02%.The number of individuals who lose back teeth was larger than the number of that who suffered from ICVD (χ2 =32.360,P <0.01).The longer length of time that losing teeth took,the bigger risk that patients suffered from ICVD.Spearman rank correlation analysis result was r =0.437,P <0.01.It meaned that time was another factor. Conclusion There is certain association between the length of lacking teeth and ICVD.Missing back teeth has a bigger effect on ICVD than missing front teeth.Furthermore,the longer time that losing teeth takes,the higher risk that patients suffer from ICVD.However,it is not clear how the length of time effects ICVD.Further study is still needed.

Non-alcohol fatty liver disease reduces the intestinal barrier function of rats / 医学研究生学报

Objective Disorder of intestinal barrier function is associated with the non-alcohol fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) . The present paper aimed to explore the intestinal barrier function in the rat model of NAFLD . Methods Sixteen SD rats were ran-domly divided into an NAFLD and a normal control group of equal number .The NAFLD models were constructed by high-fat feeding . HE staining was used for pathologic examination of the liver , the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and endotoxin (ET ) were measured by ELISA and the limulus reagent method , and the expressions of intestinal ZO-1 and Occluding were determined by real time PCR . Resu lts Compared with the normal controls , the NAFLD rats showed typical hepatic lipid deposition , with significantly increased levels of serum TNF-αand IL-1 and plasma ET and decreased expressions of intestinal ZO-1 and Occluding (P<0.05). Conclusion Intestinal barrier function is decreased in NAFLD rats .

Transesophageal echocardiography guidance for occluding procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass for muscular ventricular septal defects in children / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To discuss the application value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in occluding procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for children muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD).Methods Forty-nine mVSD patients for occluding procedure with CPB were performed guided and monitored by TEE,9 cases were simple mVSD,40 were mVSD combined with other cardiac malformations.The location,size,number,scope and the surrounding anatomy of mVSD were carefully observed before going into cardiac arrest,preparing the operator to choose appropriate occluder devices.The procedure was evaluated after the recovery of heart beat using TEE.Results In all of the 49 patients underwent occluding procedure,44 cases were implanted into one occluder,5 implanted into two occluders.The results of TEE after operation showed that the positions of all occluders were not shifted,2 had trace residual shunt,there were no complications worsening,such as mitral and aortic regurgitation,etc.One patient abandoned treatment for serious infection,the other patients' occluders were all in normal position followed up at 6 months to 2 years after operation,there were no tiny residual shunt and valves regurgitation except 1 patient.Conclusions The technique that TEE guiding and monitoring in occluding procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass for children muscular ventricular septal defects can shorten the time of cardiopulmonary bypass,significantly reducing complications and risks of the surgery,improving the successful rate.

Oral health status and treatment need of institutionalized elderly patients / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS: In the area of dental care, the institutionalized elderly have placed the most vulnerable state, and we cannot find their subjective need of dental treatment because of the physical and mental disabilities, But we have no basic investigation of their oral health conditions. PURPOSE: The aims of the current study were to investigate the oral health status of institutionalized elderly patients who are in the least benefited side of dental service, and to analyze their dental treatment needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey of the oral status was carried out on 758 institutionalized elderly, and 212 elderly who was more than 65 years old from D dental office, and it was based on the Guidelines of Oral Health Research of year 2000 in Republic of Korea. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The DMFT index of the institutionalized elderly appeared higher than that of the same ages in control group, and it increased with age. The number of residual teeth of the institutionalized elderly appeared lower than that of the same ages in control group, and it decreased with age (p < .05). The number of fixed partial denture in institutionalized elderly was lower than that of the same ages in control group (p < .05). The percentage wearing removable partial denture was not significant between the elderly in institutions and the control group, and was not different according to age between the two groups. The percentage of institutionalized elderly wearing complete denture appeared lower than that of the same ages in control group, and it increased with age. The percentage of institutionalized elderly needing complete denture was higher than that of control group, and the percentage of elderly needing complete denture on the maxilla was higher than that of the mandible. 16.35% of the institutionalized elderly was living without denture in spite of their fully edentulous state. The need for complete denture increased rapidly with age. The number of valued teeth and dental prostheses in shortened dental arch concept and number of occluding pairs of teeth of institutionalized elderly were lower than that of the control group (p < .05). In institutionalized elderly, the number of residual teeth, the number of fixed partial dentures, and the percentage wearing removable partial dentures were higher in the mandible, and the percentage wearing complete dentures was higher in the maxilla (p < .05). The rate of institutionalized elderly needing prosthodontic treatment appeared to be 67.82%, where the number of occluding pairs of teeth was less than 10. When it is difficult to evaluate the subjective need of dental treatment as with the institutionalized elderly, estimation using the number of occluding pairs of teeth can be a useful indicator that can project treatment needs. For the oral health care of institutionalized elderly, it is essential to increase the awareness of nurses and caregivers who take care of them, about the importance of the oral health. Since the average life span and number of residual teeth are increasing gradually, the welfare policy should be changed to implementing regular dental examinations, preservative treatment forms and oral health control of dentulous patients where the traveling-treatment system and visit system are supplemented. And principles should be set that the present denture project of edentulous patients should be done by specialists who'll also be responsible for postmanagement. Through this research of institutionalized elderly, the oral health status which is worsened by aging could be confirmed. And the interest and positive participation of dental society on the elderly should come first in order to solve the rising treatment needs of the elderly patients.

Uterine Arterial Embolization for the Treatment of Uterine Leiomyomas

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish guidelines for using uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas accompanied by adenomyosis in Korea. This study was performed to investigate 1) the effects of uterine embolization on leiomyoma accompanied by adenomyosis, 2) the outcome of uterine embolization according to the embolization materials used, 3) the relationship between the Resistance Index (RI) and the change in uterine volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 37 women who had uterine leiomyomas accompanied by adenomyosis. Bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed over a period of 17 months in 37 patients (age range 25 - 65) experiencing pain, hypermenorrhea, urinary frequency, etc. due to leiomyomas. Ultrasound imaging was performed before the procedure and at mean 6.9 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. Mean clinical follow-up time was 12.8 months. Minor complications occurred in 82% patients following the procedure. After follow-up imaging, the median uterine volume decreased by 34.4% and the dominant myoma volume decreased by 86%. There was no statistical difference in the uterine volume reduction and the dominant myoma size reduction, whether the occluding agent was polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol plus gelfoam, or gelfoam, and whether the ultrasound measured Resistance Index value before the procedure was low or high. CONCLUSION: Primary candidates for uterine artery embolization include those with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, who no longer desire fertility, but who wish to avoid surgery or are poor surgical risks. According to the results of our study, adenomyosis should not be considered as a contraindication for uterine artery embolization. However, because little data is available about the subsequent reproductive potential following this procedure, it should not be routinely advocated for infertile women. Further investigation is warranted regarding the choice of occluding agent and the role of the Resistance Index.

Uterine Arterial Embolization for the Treatment of Leiomyomas Accompanying with Adenomyosis / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to make a guideline of uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas accompanying with adenomyosis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed the retrospective study for 37 women who had uterine leiomyomas accompanying with adenomyosis. Bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed in 37 patients (age range 25-65) during 17 months with pain, hypermenorrhea, urinary frequency etc due to leiomyomas. Ultrasound imaging was performed before the procedure and at mean 6.9 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. Mean clinical follow-up was 12.8 months. Minor complication occurred in 82% patients after the procedure. After imaging follow-up (mean, 6.9 months postprocedure), median uterine volume decreased 34.4%, and dominant myoma volume decreased 86%. There was no statistical difference in uterine volume reduction and dominant myoma size reduction whether occluding agents was polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol plus gelfoam, and gelfoam, and whether ultrasound measured Resistance Index value before the procedure was low or high. CONCLUSION: Primary candidates for uterine artery embolization include those with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas who no longer desire fertility but wish to avoid surgery or are poor surgical risks. To our study, uterine volume reduction and dominant myoma size reduction in patients who had adenomyosis were similar to previous other studies in patients who had not adenomyosis. Therefore adenomyosis should not be considered as a contraindication for uterine artery embolization. Because there is little data about subsequent reproductive potential after this procedure, it should not be routinely advocated for infertile women. Further investigation is warranted for occluding agents and Resistance Index.