PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the cleansing performance of a distilled water, a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite as a household bleaching cleanser and three alkaline peroxide cleansers in vivo plaque deposits by using scanning electron microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five individuals were selected from department of the prosthodontics in Pusan National University Hospital, and each of them was inserted with specimens for plaque accumulation in their temporary dentures for 48 hours. The specimens were removed and cleaned by each cleansing agents for 8 hours. Scanning electron micrographs were made from the specimens at a magnification of x2,000. A panel of ten persons with a dental or paradental background, but not directly involved in the study, was selected to analyze the photomicrographs to determine which denture cleanser was more effective in removing plaque. RESULTS: Diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite was the most effective at removing plaque following Polident(R), Cleadent(R)e, Bonyplus(R) and distilled water in order. But there was no significant difference of cleansing efficacy between diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite and Polident(R), Polident(R) and Cleadent(R)e, Cleadent(R)e and Bonyplus(R), respectively (P > .05). Alkaline peroxide cleansers by themselves cannot adequately remove accumulated plaque deposits, especially if the deposits are heavy. Corrosion could be seen on the surface of non-precious alloy specimens immersed in diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to use of alkaline peroxide type cleansers with brushing whenever possible, since denture cleanliness is often poor due to the relative inefficiency of these cleansers.
Alloys ; Corrosion ; Denture Cleansers ; Dentures ; Detergents ; Electrons ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Prosthodontics ; Sodium ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Water

Implant prostheses were classified into screw-retained prosthesis and cement-retained prosthesis by their method of retaining, and there is screw and cement retained implant prosthesis (SCRP) which has been made reflecting the strengths of these two. The advantages of the SCRP technique are easy retrievability and passive fit of implant prostheses. However, the occlusal screw holes of implant prostheses can be thought as a disadvantage with respect to esthetics and occlusion. Inappropriately positioned implants also limited the use of the SCRP technique. The present study is reporting about the case where nine implants (US II, OSSTEM, Seoul, Korea) were placed in maxilla and eight in mandible respectively in fully edentulous patients. Then, the cement-retained prosthesis was applied for the part in which the screw hole positioned improperly, and screw-retained prosthesis for properly positioned implants so that the combined screw-cement prosthesis has been produced where the satisfying result has shown in both function and esthetics. Three-year follow-up has been done for the patient.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Esthetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Prostheses and Implants

BACKGROUND: Reasons for obesity include environmental factors and, more largely so, genetic factors. There have been many studies on these genetic factors. So far, genes related to obesity such as Leptin, Uncoupling Protein(UCP), Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma(PPAR-gamma), and Beta3-adrener-gic receptor(beta3-AR) gene have been discovered. Among these, beta3-AR is expressed in visceral adipose tissue and is thought to contribute to the regulation of resting metabolic rate and lipolysis. The missense mutation of beta3-AR gene, resulting in replacement of tryptophan by arginine at position 64(Trp64Arg), is associated with decreased resting metabolic rate and weightgain. We performed this study to determine if Trp64Arg polymorphism of beta3-AR gene is associatedwith obesity in Koreans. METHOD: We investigated the relationship between the beta3-AR gene mutation and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio(WHR), area of subcutaneous fat, area of visceral fat, visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio(VSR), and lipid profile. 198 subjects were included in this study of which 97 were of normal weight and 101 were obese. Anthropometric data was obtained from physical examination and medical records. RESULT: In the cases of beta3-AR gene mutation of the obese group, the ratio of Trp/Arg and Arg/Arg are 43% and 5%, respectively, which were higher than the normal group(36%, 1%), although a statistical significant was not found. There was significant difference in the are of subcutaneous fat. Normal group(Trp/Trp) measured at 213.9+/-109.6cm2 versus 244.0+/-127.7cm2 (Trp/Arg) and 323.9+/-189.9cm2(Arg/Arg) for the mutation groups. Circumference of waist, circumference of hip, WHR, area of visceral fat, and VSR were higher in the mutation groups than in normal subject, but not significantly different. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a genetic mutation in the beta3-AR gene can affect body fat composition, and is associated with obesity in Korean adults.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Arginine ; Body Mass Index ; Hip ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin ; Lipolysis ; Medical Records ; Mutation, Missense ; Obesity ; Peroxisomes ; Physical Examination ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Tryptophan ; Waist Circumference

Esophagogastric varices are considered to be the most common complication in patients with portal hypertension. Among ectopic varices, rectal varices are infrequent but potentially serious complication. The etiology and pathogenesis of rectal varices remains controversial. Several kinds of treatment have been performed but standard treatment for rectal varices has not been established. Herein we report a case of rectal varix bleeding treated with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and then evaluated by transrectal color doppler ultrasonography.
Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Ligation* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Varicose Veins*

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine insertion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at admission to a hospice-palliative care (HPC) unit is acceptable in terms of safety and efficacy and whether it results in superior patient satisfaction compared to usual intravenous (IV) access. Materials and Methods: Terminally ill cancer patients were randomly assigned to two arms: routine PICC access and usual IV access arm. The primary endpoint was IV maintenance success rate, defined as the rate of functional IV maintenance until the intended time (discharge, transfer, or death). Results: A total of 66 terminally ill cancer patients were enrolled and randomized to study arms. Among them, 57 patients (routine PICC, 29; usual IV, 28) were analyzed. In the routine PICC arm, mean time to PICC was 0.84 days (range, 0 to 3 days), 27 patients maintained PICC with function until the intended time. In the usual IV arm, 11 patients maintained peripheral IV access until the intended time, and 15 patients underwent PICC insertion. The IV maintenance success rate in the routine PICC arm (27/29, 93.1%) was similar to that in the usual IV arm (26/28, 92.8%, p=0.958). Patient satisfaction at day 5 was better in the routine PICC arm (97%, ‘a little comfort’ or ‘much comfort’) compared with the usual IV arm (21%) (p <0.001). Conclusion Routine PICC insertion in terminally ill cancer patients was comparable in safety and efficacy and resulted in superior satisfaction compared with usual IV access. Thus, routine PICC insertion could be considered at admission to the HPC unit.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine insertion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at admission to a hospice-palliative care (HPC) unit is acceptable in terms of safety and efficacy and whether it results in superior patient satisfaction compared to usual intravenous (IV) access. Materials and Methods: Terminally ill cancer patients were randomly assigned to two arms: routine PICC access and usual IV access arm. The primary endpoint was IV maintenance success rate, defined as the rate of functional IV maintenance until the intended time (discharge, transfer, or death). Results: A total of 66 terminally ill cancer patients were enrolled and randomized to study arms. Among them, 57 patients (routine PICC, 29; usual IV, 28) were analyzed. In the routine PICC arm, mean time to PICC was 0.84 days (range, 0 to 3 days), 27 patients maintained PICC with function until the intended time. In the usual IV arm, 11 patients maintained peripheral IV access until the intended time, and 15 patients underwent PICC insertion. The IV maintenance success rate in the routine PICC arm (27/29, 93.1%) was similar to that in the usual IV arm (26/28, 92.8%, p=0.958). Patient satisfaction at day 5 was better in the routine PICC arm (97%, ‘a little comfort’ or ‘much comfort’) compared with the usual IV arm (21%) (p <0.001). Conclusion Routine PICC insertion in terminally ill cancer patients was comparable in safety and efficacy and resulted in superior satisfaction compared with usual IV access. Thus, routine PICC insertion could be considered at admission to the HPC unit.