ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate the normal development of the nasal septum in Koreans using sagittal MRI for the valuable clinical information on septal procedures.MethodsTwo hundred eighty patients who had their whole nasal septum visualized in the midline sagittal view were selected among the 3,904 patients with brain MRI from January, 2004 to December, 2006 at Dankook University Hospital. The patients who had a history of nasal septal surgery or nasal trauma were excluded. Following parameters are calculated and analyzed: lengths of bony and cartilage dorsum and septal cartilage-nasal bone overlap, total septal area, septal cartilage area and, the proportion of the cartilage area to septal area and the maximal harvestable cartilage for grafting were calculated using the PAC™ program.ResultsAll the parameters were increased until adolescence. Thereafter, bony dorsal length, cartilage dorsal length, total dorsal length, total septal area and maximal harvestable cartilage for grafting have not changed significantly with age, while SC-NB overlap length, septal cartilage area, and proportion of the cartilage area to the total septal area were significantly decreased with age. The SC-NB overlap length was positively correlated with the septal cartilage area and the proportion of the cartilage area to the total septal area.ConclusionThe small septal cartilage area and its proportion to the total septal area were significantly correlated with a short overlap length of the septal cartilage under the nasal bone. Septal procedures should be carefully performed in the elderly due to the risk of incurring saddle nose.

These results suggest ISS-ODN/Der f conjugate induces an antiallergic effect and induces an increase in transforming growth factor beta1 level in the allergic rhinitis model using Der f allergen. Allergic response developed by Der f allergen could be more effectively reduced by injection with ISS-ODN/Der f conjugate than by injection with ISS-ODN only.

ObjectivesThe keystone area has critical importance in maintaining the stability of the nasal dorsum. However, overlap patterns between structural components in the keystone area have rarely been studied, especially in the noses of Koreans.MethodsDissections were performed on 18 cadaveric noses. The length and width of the structural components in the keystone area were measured. The shape of the caudal margin of the nasal bone and the overlap patterns between the upper lateral cartilage and the nasal bone were classified.ResultsThe shape of the caudal margin of the nasal bone were classified as follows: type A, curvilinear margin; type B, paramedian retractions or "M" shape; type C, elongated midline; and type D, retracted midline. The overlap area between the upper lateral cartilage and the nasal bone was classified as follows: type Ao, crescent shape; type Bo, short midline extension; and type Co, long midline extension. The cephalocaudal length of the overlap area between the upper lateral cartilage and the nasal bone was 4-10 mm (mean, 7 mm) in the midline, and 0-7 mm (mean, 3.1 mm) in the paramedian area. The overlap width of the upper lateral cartilage with the nasal bone was 8-14 mm (mean, 9.7 mm).ConclusionThe overlap pattern of the structural components in the keystone area is variable. Therefore, a thorough understanding and a cautious evaluation of the relationships of these components before and during surgery is important in performing safe and effective nasal procedures.

The source of human infection with intestinal flukes was surveyed in estuarine fishes, including the dotted gizzard shad, common sea bass, common blackish goby, redlip mullet, black sea bream, and oyster collected from Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea during August and September 2007. Collected fishes and oysters were artificially digested in pepsin-HCl solution and examined under a stereomicroscope. In 36 shads (Konosirus punctatus) and 20 basses (Lateolabrax japonicus) examined, Heterophyopsis continua metacercariae were found in 58.3% and 100%, and their average numbers were 12.0 and 6.3 per infected fish, respectively. In 34 gobies (Acanthogobius flavimanus) examined, metacercariae of H. continua were detected in 79.4%, Stictodora lari in 97.1%, and Acanthotrema felis in 92.1%, and their average numbers were 45.8, 189.3, and 235.3 per infected fish, respectively. In 37 redlip mullets (Chelon haematocheilus), Heterophyes nocens metacercariae were found in 56.8%, Pygidiopsis summa in 94.6%, and Stictodora fuscata in 45.9%, and the average metacercarial densities were 17.4, 31.3, and 35.1 per infected fish, respectively. In 30 black sea breams (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) and 45 oysters (Crassostrea gigas) examined, no metacercariae were detected. From the above results, it has been confirmed that the dotted gizzard shad, common sea bass, common blackish goby, and redlip mullet from Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea are infected with the metacercariae of heterophyid flukes.

Mucosal functions, assessed by increase of ciliary activity and ion secretion by purinergic stimulation, and microscopic findings showed gradual but incomplete recovery after 4 weeks of recovery, in contrast to the gross normalization. Purinergic agonists may have beneficial effects on sinusitis by stimulating decreased ciliary motility and chloride secretion in sinusitis.

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Background and Objectives：To analyze the viability of chondrocytes according to different degrees of crushing and to investigate the mechanism of cell death in the crushed cartilage. Subjects and Method：Septal cartilages were obtained from 22 patients and cartilage pieces were allocated to four groups；normal, mildly crushed, moderately crushed and severely crushed. The cartilage specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscope. The viability of the chondrocytes and the mechanism of cell death were assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results：As crushing intensity increased, chondrocyte viability significantly decreased. The mechanism of cell death was mainly due to necrosis rather than apoptosis. Conclusion：The viability of chondrocytes in the crushed cartilage depends on the degree of crushing. The mechanism of cell death after crushing is mainly necrosis. Therefore, for the clinical use of the crushed cartilage, slight overcorrection and standardization of the degree of crushing are recommended.

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