PURPOSE: We conducted a randomized, multicenter, phase III trial to compare S-1 plus docetaxel (DS) with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stage III gastric cancer patients who had received curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were randomized into equal groups to receive adjuvant chemotherapy of eight cycles of DS (S-1 70 mg/m2/day on days 1-14 plus docetaxel 35 mg/m2on days 1 and 8) every 3 weeks or SP (S-1 70 mg/m2/day on days 1-14 plus cisplatin 60 mg/m2on day 1) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. RESULTS: Between November 2010 and July 2013, 153 patients (75 patients to DS and 78 patients to SP) were enrolled from 8 institutions in Korea. After the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin was approved based on the CLASSIC study, itwas decided to close the study early. With a median follow-up duration of 56.9 months, the 3-year DFS rate between two groups was not significantly different (49.14% in DS group vs. 52.5% in SP group). The most common grade 3-4 adverse event was neutropenia (42.7% in DS and 38.5% in SP, p=0.351). SP group had more grade 3-4 anemia (1.3% vs. 11.5%, p=0.037), whereas grade 3-4 hand-foot syndrome (4.1% vs. 0%, p=0.025) and mucositis (10.7% vs. 2.6%, p=0.001) were more common in DS group. Fifty-one patients (68%) in DS group and 52 (66.7%) in SP group finished planned treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that SP or DS is an effective and tolerable option for patients with curatively resected stage III gastric cancer.
Anemia ; Capecitabine ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Cisplatin ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Hand-Foot Syndrome ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mucositis ; Neutropenia ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a side effect of bisphophonate therapy that has been reported in recent years. Osteoclastic inactivity by bisphosphonate is the known cause of BRONJ. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) plays an important role in the development of bone. Recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) is potentially useful as an activation factor for bone repair. We hypothesized that rhBMP-2 would enhance the osteoclast-osteoblast interaction related to bone remodeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) were treated with 100 microM alendronate, and 100 ng/mL rhBMP-2 was added. Cells were incubated for a further 48 hours, and cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Expression of the three cytokines from osteoblasts, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Cell viability was decreased to 82.75%+/-1.00% by alendronate and then increased to 110.43%+/-1.35% after treatment with rhBMP-2 (P<0.05, respectively). OPG, RANKL, and M-CSF expression were all decreased by alendronate treatment. RANKL and M-CSF expression were increased, but OPG was not significantly affected by rhBMP-2. CONCLUSION: rhBMP2 does not affect OPG gene expression in hFOB, but it may increase RANKL and M-CSF gene expression.
Alendronate ; Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw ; Bone Remodeling ; Cell Survival ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; RANK Ligand ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Knowledge of the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection is required in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we surveyed the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyzed the risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents in 2 administrative districts; Seoul and the island of Jeju-do, which have contrasting epidemiologic characteristics. Sera and blood collected from 2,150 residents (1,114 in Seoul and 1,036 in Jeju-do) were checked for IgG antibody titers using ELISA and for the T. gondii B1 gene using PCR. In addition, participants completed a questionnaire that solicited information on gender, age, occupation, eating habits, history of contact with animals, and travel abroad. The T. gondii B1 gene was not detected in all residents examined. However, ELISA showed 8.0% (89 of 1,114 sera) positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii in Seoul and 11.3% (117 of 1,036 sera) in Jeju-do. In both districts, the positive rates were higher in males than in females, and those 40-79 years of age showed higher rates than other ages. In Seoul, residents older than 70 years of age showed the highest positive rate, 14.9%, whereas in Jeju-do the highest prevalence, 15.6%, was in those in their sixties. The higher seropositive rate in Jeju-do than in Seoul may be related to eating habits and occupations. The present results and a review of related literature are indicative of an increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in Korea in recent years.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; Child ; DNA, Protozoan/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Factors ; Toxoplasma/genetics/*immunology ; Toxoplasmosis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the timing and sequence of eruption of permanent canine and premolars, and to evaluate tooth calcification stage on emergence in Korean children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was comprised of 1,266 children (male 720, female 546) aged from 7-13 years. Tooth eruption and calcification stages were determined through oral and panoramic radiographic examination, respectively. Probit analysis was used to calculate the timing of tooth eruption and tooth calcification stage from these cross-sectional data. RESULTS: In both males and females, eruption occurred around the time when one third of tooth root or more was formed. The sequence was as follows: first premolar, canine, and second premolar in maxilla, and canine, first premolar and second premolar in mandible. Tooth eruption occurred earlier in girls compared with boys, averaging 0.63 years. CONCLUSION: Eruption sequence is identical in males and females with a trend for females to erupt earlier than males. Tooth eruption becomes earlier over the past decades in Korean children.
Aged ; Bicuspid ; Child ; Dentition, Permanent ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Tooth ; Tooth Calcification ; Tooth Eruption ; Tooth Root

Dental caries is a major health problem affecting an estimated 90% of school children worldwide. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices among secondary school students in Kuching, Sarawak. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire on 209 randomly selected students from four schools. Results showed no significant differences between the gender and age groups in terms of knowledge level, but significant differences were observed between the schools. The students had positive attitude towards the dental services, but their dental visits were still low due to fear of dental needle and handpieces. Toothbrush and toothpaste were still the most commonly used oral hygiene aids. As compared to parents and friends, dentist was perceived to have more influence on oral hygiene practices among the students. Girls consumed more sweets, snacks and soft drinks than boys. However, girls spent longer time to brush their teeth and brush more frequently. Oral health education should be a life-long practice and incorporated into the school environment with the support of teachers and parents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of sinus disease and abnormalities in patients scheduled for dental implant in maxillary posterior area using cone beam CT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred five maxillary sinuses in eighty-seven patients who underwent cone beam CT for dental implant in maxillary posterior area were included. Any patients who had previous history of sinus operations were not included. The sinus abnormalities were classified as follows ; normal (membrane thickness <2 mm), mucosal thickening (membrane thickness > or = 2 mm and <6 mm), partial opacification (membrane thickness >6 mm but not full), full opacification and mucous retention cyst. The relationship between the remaining bone height, sinus symptoms and maxillary sinus abnormality was statistically surveyed. RESULTS: Of 105 maxillary sinuses in 87 patients, 80 (76%) maxillary sinuses showed abnormalities ; 4 of 4 symptomatic patients and 76 of 101 asymptomatic patients. Mucosal thickening was the most common sinus abnormality. Only 3 (4%) of 80 maxillary sinus abnormalities were caused by the odontogenic origin. The prevalence of maxillary sinus abnormalities was higher in the symptomatic group than asymptomatic one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maxillary sinus abnormalities were very common in the patients who were planning implantation in maxillary posterior areas. This result supports that thorough evaluation for maxillary sinus is recommended when implant treatment is planned for those areas.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Prevalence ; Retention (Psychology)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of sinus disease and abnormalities in patients scheduled for dental implant in maxillary posterior area using cone beam CT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred five maxillary sinuses in eighty-seven patients who underwent cone beam CT for dental implant in maxillary posterior area were included. Any patients who had previous history of sinus operations were not included. The sinus abnormalities were classified as follows ; normal (membrane thickness <2 mm), mucosal thickening (membrane thickness > or = 2 mm and <6 mm), partial opacification (membrane thickness >6 mm but not full), full opacification and mucous retention cyst. The relationship between the remaining bone height, sinus symptoms and maxillary sinus abnormality was statistically surveyed. RESULTS: Of 105 maxillary sinuses in 87 patients, 80 (76%) maxillary sinuses showed abnormalities ; 4 of 4 symptomatic patients and 76 of 101 asymptomatic patients. Mucosal thickening was the most common sinus abnormality. Only 3 (4%) of 80 maxillary sinus abnormalities were caused by the odontogenic origin. The prevalence of maxillary sinus abnormalities was higher in the symptomatic group than asymptomatic one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maxillary sinus abnormalities were very common in the patients who were planning implantation in maxillary posterior areas. This result supports that thorough evaluation for maxillary sinus is recommended when implant treatment is planned for those areas.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Prevalence ; Retention (Psychology)

To examine the infection status of freshwater fish with Gnathostoma spp. larvae in Myanmar, we purchased 15 snakeheads, Channa striatus, from a local market in a suburban area of Naypyidaw, the new capital city. Two larval gnathostomes were collected using an artificial digestion technique, and observed by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The size of an intact larva was 2.65 mm long and 0.32 mm wide. The characteristic morphology of the larvae included the presence of a long esophagus (0.80 mm long), 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.43 mm long), and a characteristic head bulb with 4 rows of hooklets. The number of hooklets in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th row was 45, 48, 50, and 52, respectively. Based on these morphological characters, the larvae were identified as the advanced 3rd-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum. This is the first report of detection of G. spinigerum 3rd-stage larvae in the central part of Myanmar. Our study suggests that intake of raw meat of snakehead fish in Myanmar may result in human gnathostomiasis.
Animals ; Fish Diseases/parasitology ; Gnathostoma/*isolation & purification/ultrastructure ; Larva/ultrastructure ; Myanmar ; Perciformes/*parasitology ; Spirurida Infections/parasitology/*veterinary

Skull base-invading, invasive aspergillosis is rare, but it is a potentially life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, the standard method and the optimal duration of treatment are not known yet. A 52-year-old female diabetic patient complained of ophthalmalgia and decreased visual acuity. MRI and CT scan revealed an enhancing mass in the right orbital fissure and showed an infiltrating process in the skull base around the right orbit apex and paranasal sinuses. The histological investigation revealed invasive aspergillosis of paranasal sinuses and the skull base. Clinical improvement occurred after marsupialization and post-operative systemic antifungal therapy with voriconazole for 14 weeks. We suggest that voriconazole treatment could show effective results for invasive aspergillosis of skull base and paranasal sinuses.
Aspergillosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Orbit ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pyrimidines ; Skull ; Skull Base ; Triazoles ; Visual Acuity

Skull base-invading, invasive aspergillosis is rare, but it is a potentially life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, the standard method and the optimal duration of treatment are not known yet. A 52-year-old female diabetic patient complained of ophthalmalgia and decreased visual acuity. MRI and CT scan revealed an enhancing mass in the right orbital fissure and showed an infiltrating process in the skull base around the right orbit apex and paranasal sinuses. The histological investigation revealed invasive aspergillosis of paranasal sinuses and the skull base. Clinical improvement occurred after marsupialization and post-operative systemic antifungal therapy with voriconazole for 14 weeks. We suggest that voriconazole treatment could show effective results for invasive aspergillosis of skull base and paranasal sinuses.
Aspergillosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Orbit ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pyrimidines ; Skull ; Skull Base ; Triazoles ; Visual Acuity