The purpose of study was to determine the nature, outcomes and associated risk factors of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and compare the incidence of IFI in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 1155 patients with SLE and 2004 patients with RA were retrospectively reviewed between 1992 and 2007. Twelve cases of IFI patients were identified in SLE patients (6 Aspergillus spp.; 5 Cryptococcus spp.; 1 Candida spp.). The incidence of IFI was significantly higher in patients with SLE than RA (1.04 vs. 0.15%). Among 12 patients with SLE, 10 had high Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (>or=8). The most commonly involved organ was the lung (n = 6), followed by the meninges (n = 4). Most of SLE patients with IFI (91.7%) had taken steroids prior to IFI. Three SLE patients resulted in death. Notably, these patients were all infected with Aspergillus spp. The mortality was associated with the presence of leukopenia, high anti-DNA antibodies and high SLEDAI. Collectively, IFI is more common in patients with SLE than in patients with RA. High disease activity in patients with SLE might contribute to increased risk of IFI. In addition, mortality was associated with aspergillus infection, leukopenia and high anti-DNA antibodies.

Genetic information such as DNA sequences has been limited to fully explain mechanisms of gene regulation and disease process. Epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs, can regulate gene expression and affect progression of disease. Although studies focused on epigenetics are being actively investigated in the field of medicine and biology, epigenetics in dental research is at the early stages. However, studies on epigenetics in dentistry deserve attention because epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in gene expression during tooth development and may affect oral diseases. In addition, understanding of epigenetic alteration is important for developing new therapeutic methods. This review article aims to outline the general features of epigenetic mechanisms and describe its future implications in the field of dentistry.

Abstract. We first study the generalized Fourier-Gauss transforms of functionals defined on the complexification B C of an abstract Wiener space (H, B, ν). Secondly, we introduce a new class of convolution products of functionals defined on B C and study several properties of the convolutions. Then we study various relations among the first variation, the convolutions, and the generalized Fourier-Gauss transforms.

We have investigated the effect of heat treatment on the thermal and chemical stability of photoresist microlenses which were made by a reflow method. The microlenses were formed by patterning a novolac-based photoresist (PR) to pillar shapes and by reflowing it at 140 °C. After reflowing, the microlenses were heat treated at a relatively high temperature between 250 °C and 350 °C. After the heat treatment, the fundamental functions as a lens were maintained for infrared laser beams with wavelengths above 800 nm, except volume shrinkage and increment of the refractive index. The heat-treated microlenses also were not attacked by methanol and acetone. Our results suggest wide application of the PR as a simple, cost effective and stable lens medium.

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