Therapeutic Effect of HDAC5 Binding and Cell Penetrating Peptide for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND@#Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an incurable disease that negatively influences the quality of life of patients. Current and emerging therapies target proinflammatory cytokines and/or receptors to downregulate proinflammatory responses, but insufficient remission requires other therapeutic agents. Herein, we report that the synthetic antiinflammatory peptide 15 (SAP15) is capable of cell penetration and anti-inflammatory activity in human macrophages. @*METHODS@#SAP15 was labeled with fluorescence and administered to human leukemia monocytic cells (THP-1) cells for cell penetration analysis. Using biolayer interferometry analysis, the binding affinity of SAP15 with histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) was measured. SAP15-treated THP-1 cells were analyzed by protein phosphorylation assay, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, in vivo analysis of the therapeutic effect on IBD was observed in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced model. Samples from SAP15-treated mice were analyzed at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels using ELISA, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assays, and histological evaluations. @*RESULTS@#SAP15 was internalized within the cytosol and nucleus of THP-1 cells and bound to the HDAC5 protein. SAP15-treated macrophages were assessed for protein phosphorylation and showed inhibited phosphorylation of HDAC5 and other immune-related proteins, which led to increased M2-like macrophage markers and decreased M1-like macrophage markers and tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 cytokine levels. The SAP15 treatment on IBD model showed significant recovery of colon length. Further histological analysis of colon demonstrated the therapeutic effect of SAP15 on mucosal layer. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokine levels and MPO activity from the plasma show that SAP15 is effective in reduced proinflammatory responses. @*CONCLUSION@#These findings suggest that SAP15 is a novel peptide with a novel cell-penetrating peptide with antiinflammatory property that can be used as a therapeutic agent for IBD and other inflammatory diseases.

Nitrosylation of b2-Tubulin Promotes Microtubule Disassembly and Differentiated Cardiomyocyte Beating in Ischemic Mice

BACKGROUND@#Beating cardiomyocyte regeneration therapies have revealed as alternative therapeutics for heart transplantation. Nonetheless, the importance of nitric oxide (NO) in cardiomyocyte regeneration has been widely suggested, little has been reported concerning endogenous NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation. @*METHODS@#Here, we used P19CL6 cells and a Myocardiac infarction (MI) model to confirm NO-induced protein modification and its role in cardiac beating. Two tyrosine (Tyr) residues of b2-tubulin (Y106 and Y340) underwent nitrosylation (Tyr-NO) by endogenously generated NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation from pre-cardiomyocyte-like P19CL6 cells. @*RESULTS@#Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin mediated the interaction with Stathmin, which promotes microtubule disassembly, and was prominently observed in spontaneously beating cell clusters and mouse embryonic heart (E11.5d). In myocardial infarction mice, Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin in transplanted cells was closely related with cardiac troponin-T expression with their functional recovery, reduced infarct size and thickened left ventricular wall. @*CONCLUSION@#This is the first discovery of a new target molecule of NO, b2-tubulin, that can promote normal cardiac beating and cardiomyocyte regeneration. Taken together, we suggest therapeutic potential of Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin, for ischemic cardiomyocyte, which can reduce unexpected side effect of stem cell transplantation, arrhythmogenesis.

Factors influencing career preparation behavior of nursing students: A systemic review and meta-analysis / 한국간호교육학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to systematically review and conduct meta-analysis on factors affecting career preparation behavior of Korean nursing students. @*Methods@#Related articles published in Korean and English were collected based on search terms and converted into a numerical database. Data extraction, quality assessment and analysis including a systematic review and meta-analysis were completed. @*Results@#The review included 27 studies. There were 25 factors influencing career preparation behavior of Korean nursing students. Factors were categorized into four sub-factors: personal, contextual, cognitive-emotional, and goal-related. In the meta-analysis of 27 articles the total effect size (ESr) was .34. The effect sizes of the four sub-factors were .37 for individual factors, .25 for situation factors, .34 for cognitive and emotional factors, and .41 for target factors. The main factors were .53 for career-related efficacy, .43 for self-leadership, and .43 for career decision level. @*Conclusion@#Nursing students with high career-related efficacy and self-leadership are more likely to demonstrate career preparation behavior. Based on these results, educational institutions for nursing students must improve students’ self-leadership and career effectiveness through education so that they can set career goals.

The fruit of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms improves arterial stiffness and blood pressure: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are 2 of the independent predictors for cardiovascular disease, while Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is a traditional medicinal plant that can improve cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the fruit of ASH on vascular function in apparently healthy subjects. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, consisting of healthy adults with at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: borderline high blood pressure (BP; 120 mmHg ≤ systolic BP ≤ 160 mmHg or 80 mmHg ≤ diastolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg), smoking (≥10 cigarettes/day), and borderline blood lipid levels (220 ≤ total cholesterol ≤ 240, 130 ≤ low density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 165, or 150 ≤ triglyceride ≤ 220 mg/dL). Randomly assigned 76 subjects who received a placebo or 2 doses of ASH fruit (low, 500 mg/day; high, 1,000 mg/day) completed the intervention. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, and BP were measured both at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was assessed by western blotting. @*RESULTS@#Compared with the placebo group, the low-dose group showed more significant changes after the 12-week intervention period in terms of systolic BP (0.1 vs. −7.7 mmHg; P = 0.044), baPWV (31.3 vs. −98.7 cm/s; P = 0.007), and the ratio of phospho-eNOS/eNOS (0.8 vs. 1.22; P = 0.037). @*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggest that ASH fruit extract at 500 mg/day has the potential to improve BP and arterial stiffness via endothelial eNOS activation in healthy adults with smoking and the tendency of having elevated BP or blood lipid parameters.

Sulfuretin Prevents Obesity and Metabolic Diseases in Diet Induced Obese Mice

The global obesity epidemic and associated metabolic diseases require alternative biological targets for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we show that a phytochemical sulfuretin suppressed adipocyte differentiation of preadipocytes and administration of sulfuretin to high fat diet-fed obese mice prevented obesity and increased insulin sensitivity. These effects were associated with a suppressed expression of inflammatory markers, induced expression of adiponectin, and increased levels of phosphorylated ERK and AKT. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sulfuretin in adipocytes, we performed microarray analysis and identified activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) as a sulfuretin-responsive gene. Sulfuretin elevated Atf3 mRNA and protein levels in white adipose tissue and adipocytes. Consistently, deficiency of Atf3 promoted lipid accumulation and the expression of adipocyte markers. Sulfuretin’s but not resveratrol’s anti-adipogenic effects were diminished in Atf3 deficient cells, indicating that Atf3 is an essential factor in the effects of sulfuretin. These results highlight the usefulness of sulfuretin as a new anti-obesity intervention for the prevention of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

Optimization of Microenvironments Inducing Differentiation of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Endothelial Cell-Like Cells

BACKGROUND: Stem cell engineering is appealing consideration for regenerating damaged endothelial cells (ECs) because stem cells can differentiate into EC-like cells. In this study, we demonstrate that tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) can differentiate into EC-like cells under optimal physiochemical microenvironments.METHODS: TMSCs were preconditioned with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) or EC growth medium (EGM) for 4 days and then replating them on Matrigel to observe the formation of a capillary-like network under light microscope. Microarray, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were used to evaluate the expression of gene and protein of EC-related markers.RESULTS: Preconditioning TMSCs in EGM for 4 days and then replating them on Matrigel induced the formation of a capillary-like network in 3 h, but TMSCs preconditioned with DMEM did not form such a network. Genome analyses confirmed that EGM preconditioning significantly affected the expression of genes related to angiogenesis, blood vessel morphogenesis and development, and vascular development. Western blot analyses revealed that EGM preconditioning with gelatin coating induced the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), a mature EC-specific marker, as well as phosphorylated Akt at serine 473, a signaling molecule related to eNOS activation. Gelatin-coating during EGM preconditioning further enhanced the stability of the capillary-like network, and also resulted in the network more closely resembled to those observed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that under specific conditions, i.e., EGM preconditioning with gelatin coating for 4 days followed by Matrigel, TMSCs could be a source of generating endothelial cells for treating vascular dysfunction.

Metabolites profiling and hypolipidemic/hypocholesterolemic effects of persimmon (Diosyros kaki Thumb.) by different processing procedures: in vitro and in vivo studies / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Our previous study demonstrated that persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thumb.) at different stages of ripening provided different protective effects against high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemia in rats. In this study, we compared the metabolites profile and gene expressions related to triglyceride (TG)/cholesterol metabolism in vitro and in vivo after treating with persimmon water extracts (PWE) or tannin-enriched persimmon concentrate (TEP). METHODS: Primary and secondary metabolites in test materials were determined by GC-TOF/MS, UHPLC-LTQ-ESI-IT-MS/MS, and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The expression of genes related to TG and cholesterol metabolism were determined by RT-PCR both in HepG2 cells stimulated by oleic acid/palmitic acid and in liver tissues obtained from Wistar rats fed with HFD and PWE at 0, 150, 300, and 600 mg/d (experiment I) or TEP at 0, 7, 14, and 28 mg/d (experiment II) by oral gavage for 9 weeks. RESULTS: PLS-DA analysis and heatmap analysis demonstrated significantly differential profiling of metabolites of PWE and TEP according to processing of persimmon powder. In vitro, TEP showed similar hypolipidemic effects as PWE, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic effects compared to PWE in sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression. Consistently, TEP and PWE showed similar hypolipidemic capacity in vivo, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic capacity in terms of SREBP2, HMGCR, and bile salt export pump (BSEP) gene expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that column extraction after hot water extraction may be a good strategy to enhance tannins and long-chain fatty acid amides, which might cause stimulation of hypocholesterolemic actions through downregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis gene expression and upregulation of LDL receptor gene expression.

Intracellular Remodeling and Accumulation of Aberrant Lysosomes in Differentiation of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Parathyroid-Like Cells

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into a variety of cell lineages such as adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes is often accompanied up-regulation of autophagy. In our study, we demonstrated that the expression of autophagy-associated proteins (p-Beclin 1, LC3A, LC3B, p-AMPK, p-mTOR and ATG3, ATG7, and ATG12-5) over a period of time was hardly distinguishable from control tonsil-derived MSC (TMSC). Despite the unnoticeable difference in autophagy activation between differentiated TMSC (dTMSC) and the control (cTMSC), we reported significant changes in intracellular compositions in differentiated TMSC into functional parathyroid-like cells secreting parathyroid hormone (PTH). By using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed accumulation of multivesicular bodies (MVB) comprising small, degraded compartments densely accumulated as dark granular or amorphous clumps, multilamellar bodies and lipid droplets in dTMSC. However, no such structures were found in cTMSC. These results suggest that differentiation of TMSC into parathyroid-like cells producing PTH hormone is hardly dependent on autophagy activation in the beginning of our conditions. Furthermore, our results of intracellular remodeling and accumulated endo-lysosomal storage bodies in the later stages of TMSC differentiation present a possible role of the structures in PTH secretion.

Analyzing correlation between epicardial fat area and metabolic syndrome risk factor by using low-dose Lung CT

To study about the blood count of a risk factor related to physical measurement and metabolic syndrome, and the area of epicardial fat for medical checkup patients. From April 1[st]t to November 15[th] in 2014, we measured the area of epicardial fat in the adult out patients under 60 years of age, who are in good health; and the patients took the blood test and low-dose lung CT. In order to identify the relationship between the area of epicardial fat and the risk factor of metabolic syndrome, we conducted correlation analysis. Then, we performed multiple regression analysis to evaluate an independent correlation of epicardial area. In addition, we computed the cut-off value of epicardial fat area by using ROC [Receiver Operating Characteristic curve to foresee a metabolic syndrome factor that has the most proper sensitivity and specificity. aist circumference, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were shown to be the factors that affect the area of epicardial fat. Therefore, if waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were increased, the area of epicardial fat would be significantly increased [P<0.05]; and if high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased, the area of epicardial fat would be significantly decreased [P<0.05]. Out of metabolic syndrome factors, waist circumference's ROC curve area was 0.79 [Confidence Interval 0.73-0.84, P<0.05], which was the highest. The sensitivity was 83.7% when specificity was 70.1%, which proves that they are important factors for the diagnosis. In brief, metabolic syndrome is a disease that mostly appears in obesity patients, so we should try to monitor and cure the disease. The risk factors of metabolic syndrome can be managed through health care, and if we try to decrease the risk factors, we will be able to shrink epicardial fat area and decrease metabolic syndrome at the same time

Analysis of Visual Field Defect in Patient with Brain Lesion

PURPOSE: In this study we analyzed the results of visual field tests in patients diagnosed with a brain lesion in an ophthalmology clinic. METHODS: The medical records of 55 patients who underwent visual field examinations and diagnosed with brain pathology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2014 were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients (M:F = 30:25), 31 displayed symmetrical hemianopsia, a typical visual field defect associated with brain lesions. Twenty-four patients showed atypical visual field defect (20 showed normal visual field despite the brain lesion, 3 had bilateral narrowing of the peripheral visual field in 2 cerebral infarctions and 1 multiple sclerosis, and 1 had horizontal inferior visual field defect in 1 eye from nasopharyngeal cancer). CONCLUSIONS: Patients having a brain lesion with the optic tract invasion may present with atypical visual field defects. The peripheral visual field constriction and horizontal inferior visual field defect in 1 eye could be the visual field defect in patients with a brain lesion.

Clinical Features of Acinetobacter Baumannii Keratitis

PURPOSE: Acinetobacter species are common aerobic gram-negative bacterium that contain polymorphisms. Acinetobacter baumannii keratitis has recently received attention, and has various clinical features. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the appropriate medical treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii keratitis. CASE SUMMARY: There were two infectious crystalline keratitis patients, two other patients that were co-infected with fungus, and the last patient who had the peripheral corneal ulcer type of keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter baumannii keratitis demonstrates multiple clinical features. It forms a biofilm that can bring possible resistance to therapy, and it can also co-infect with fungus. In contrast to general bacterial keratitis which occurs in the form of a central corneal ulcer, we found Acinetobacter baumannii to take on the form of a peripheral corneal ulcer in our experiments on the five keratitis patients. Although Acinetobacter species were originally found to be multidrug-resistant, such resistance was not found in our experiments. However, due to the various problems associated with Acinetobacter baumannii, it is always critical for medical staff to take infection of Acinetobacter baumannii into consideration in keratitis patients.

Treatment of Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors in Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome

The Use of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in Treatment for Cysts of the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions

A Case of Conjunctival Mass with Infectious Mononucleosis by EBV

PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival mass with infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) confirmed with Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization. CASE SUMMARY: A 8 year-old male without underlying disease was referred with counjunctival mass on the right eye starting 3 days ago. In ophthalmologic evaluation, there was injected, nontender, and "salmon patch" appearance conjunctival lesion on right superior bulbar conjunctiva. The patient was admitted to pediatrics with sore throat and fever. The tonsil were enlarged and white blood cell count was 14960/uL. EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and Viral capsid antigen Immunoglobulin M (VAC IgM) test were positive, the diagnose of infectious mononucleosis by EBV was made. After 5 days steroid eyedrop therapy, biopsy was performed because the lesion was not improved. There were lymphocyte infiltration, chronic inflammation and positive in EBER in situ hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated and pinkish lesion on conjunctiva, EBV lesion should be considered as differential diagnosis.

Effect of air purifier on indoor air quality and atopic dermatitis

PURPOSE: High level of indoor air pollutant may cause aggravation of atopic diseases long with various allergic respiratory diseases especially in people who spend mostly of their lives indoors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air purifier on the reduction of relevant hazards in indoors and the improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: A total of 24 families, consisted of 18 AD families and 6 normal control families, were enrolled in this study. We examined air quality and AD severity before the installation of air purifiers and after twenty-four weeeks. The assessment of air quality included fine particles (particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10), gaseous contaminants (CO, CO2, volatile organic compounds [VOCs], formaldehyde, NO2) and density of offloating microorganisms. Severity of AD was assessed by SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). RESULTS: At the end of study, particular air pollutants and VOCs of gaseous air pollutants decreased in both groups (P<0.01). In AD group, SCORAD index decreased from 23.45+/-4.34 to 15.42+/-6.53 (-18.5%) and TEWL decreased from 33.78+/-5.16 to 26.89+/-5.66 (-18.7%) (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). However, the value of total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil did not show significant changes in both groups compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that air purifier may improve severity of AD by reducing air pollutants like fine particles and VOCs. Our preliminary study could provide a basis for using air purifier to prevent aggravation of AD.

Interaction Effects of Lipoprotein Lipase Polymorphisms with Lifestyle on Lipid Levels in a Korean Population: A Cross-sectional Study

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an essential role in the regulation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglyceride levels, which have been closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. Genetic studies in European have shown that LPL single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are strongly associated with lipid levels. However, studies about the influence of interactions between LPL SNPs and lifestyle factors have not been sufficiently performed. Here, we examine if LPL polymorphisms, as well as their interaction with lifestyle factors, influence lipid concentrations in a Korean population. A two-stage association study was performed using genotype data for SNPs on the LPL gene, including the 3' flanking region from 7,536 (stage 1) and 3,703 (stage 2) individuals. The association study showed that 15 SNPs and 4 haplotypes were strongly associated with HDLC (lowest p = 2.86 x 10(-22)) and triglyceride levels (lowest p = 3.0 x 10(-15)). Interactions between LPL polymorphisms and lifestyle factors (lowest p = 9.6 x 10(-4)) were also observed on lipid concentrations. These findings suggest that there are interaction effects of LPL polymorphisms with lifestyle variables, including energy intake, fat intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as effects of LPL polymorphisms themselves, on lipid concentrations in a Korean population.

Interaction Effects of Lipoprotein Lipase Polymorphisms with Lifestyle on Lipid Levels in a Korean Population: A Cross-sectional Study

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an essential role in the regulation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglyceride levels, which have been closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. Genetic studies in European have shown that LPL single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are strongly associated with lipid levels. However, studies about the influence of interactions between LPL SNPs and lifestyle factors have not been sufficiently performed. Here, we examine if LPL polymorphisms, as well as their interaction with lifestyle factors, influence lipid concentrations in a Korean population. A two-stage association study was performed using genotype data for SNPs on the LPL gene, including the 3' flanking region from 7,536 (stage 1) and 3,703 (stage 2) individuals. The association study showed that 15 SNPs and 4 haplotypes were strongly associated with HDLC (lowest p = 2.86 x 10(-22)) and triglyceride levels (lowest p = 3.0 x 10(-15)). Interactions between LPL polymorphisms and lifestyle factors (lowest p = 9.6 x 10(-4)) were also observed on lipid concentrations. These findings suggest that there are interaction effects of LPL polymorphisms with lifestyle variables, including energy intake, fat intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as effects of LPL polymorphisms themselves, on lipid concentrations in a Korean population.

Replication of the Association of the 6q22.31c Locus near GJA1 with Pulse Rate in the Korean Population

Pulse rate is known to be related to diverse phenotypes, such as cardiovascular diseases, lifespan, arrhythmia, hypertension, lipids, diabetes, and menopause. We have reported two genomewide significant genetic loci responsible for the variation in pulse rate as a part of the Korea Association Resource (KARE) project, the genomewide association study (GWAS) that was conducted with 352,228 single nucleoride polymorphisms typed in 8,842 subjects in the Korean population. GJA1 was implied as a functionally causal gene for pulse rate from the KARE study, but lacked evidence of replication. To re-evaluate the association of a locus near GJA1 with pulse rate, we looked up this signal in another GWAS conducted in a Health Examinee-shared cohort of 3,703 samples. Not only we were able to confirm two pulse rate loci (1q32.2a near CD46 and 6q22.13c near LOCL644502) identified in the KARE GWAS, we also replicated a locus (6q22.31c) near GJA1 by the lookup in the Health Examinee GWAS. Considering that the GJA1-encoded protein is a major component of cardiac gap junctions, a functional study might be necessary to validate its genuine molecular biological role in the synchronized contraction of the heart.

Replication of the Association of the 6q22.31c Locus near GJA1 with Pulse Rate in the Korean Population

Pulse rate is known to be related to diverse phenotypes, such as cardiovascular diseases, lifespan, arrhythmia, hypertension, lipids, diabetes, and menopause. We have reported two genomewide significant genetic loci responsible for the variation in pulse rate as a part of the Korea Association Resource (KARE) project, the genomewide association study (GWAS) that was conducted with 352,228 single nucleoride polymorphisms typed in 8,842 subjects in the Korean population. GJA1 was implied as a functionally causal gene for pulse rate from the KARE study, but lacked evidence of replication. To re-evaluate the association of a locus near GJA1 with pulse rate, we looked up this signal in another GWAS conducted in a Health Examinee-shared cohort of 3,703 samples. Not only we were able to confirm two pulse rate loci (1q32.2a near CD46 and 6q22.13c near LOCL644502) identified in the KARE GWAS, we also replicated a locus (6q22.31c) near GJA1 by the lookup in the Health Examinee GWAS. Considering that the GJA1-encoded protein is a major component of cardiac gap junctions, a functional study might be necessary to validate its genuine molecular biological role in the synchronized contraction of the heart.

Retrospective study on the airway obstruction aspects of computed tomography and lateral cephalometry and the correlation of polysomnography in obstructive sleep apnea patients

OBJECTIVES: Lateral cephalometry, computed tomography (CT) and full-night polysomnography were used to examine the correlation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients (5 females, 24 males) diagnosed with OSA were evaluated by lateral cephalometry, CT and full-night polysomnography. Lateral cephalometry was performed in the closed and open mouth states. The radiographic and polysomnography measurements of the patients with OSA were evaluated statistically to determine the association with OSA severity. RESULTS: A significant relationship was observed between the increased respiratory disturbance index and closing lateral cephalometry. With mouth opening, the airway space narrowed and the OSA worsened. Lateral cephalometry revealed OSA patients to have an inferiorly positioned hyoid bone, longer-than-normal soft palate and narrowing airway space. As OSA was severe, the airway shape was ovoid in the CT horizontal view. CONCLUSION: Polysomnography and the radiographic parameter can be used for diagnosing OSA.