A fundamental principle in clasp selection for a specific abutment is the reduction of the transmission of excessive forces to the abutment tooth. Those forces include tilting, tipping, and stress on the abutment tooth. The flexibility of a clasp was believed to directly affect the reduction of such forces. Opinions have been expressed concerning the proper type of clasp to be used to prevent stress on periodontium. In order to evaluate and compare the various designs of a clasp system, it is necessary to measure these force. This study compared the average measurements of forces required to dislodge three kinds of circumferential clasps having different amount of undercuts : the first with a round retentive arm, the second with a half round retentive arm, the third with a wrought wire retentive arm under tensile load. Three commonly used undercuts( 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 inch) were created on nine cast crowns, premolars and molars. The test was run six times for a same clasp. The means of tensile load required to dislodge each of the different clasps were compared statistically using the ANOVA test and multiple range test (Duncan test) The results were as follows. 1. The amount of tensile load of the wrought wire clasp was significa-ntly different from the cast round or half round clasp(P<0.05) 2. The more amount of the undercut, the more tensile load was need-ed to dislodge the clasp. There were significant difference among them(P<0.05) 3. The molar showed higher tensile load than the premolar, and there was significant difference(P<0.05) 4. The means of tensile load according to clasp types showed signific-ant differences at the molar between wrought wire clasp and cast clasp (P<0.05), but did not at the premolar
Arm ; Bicuspid ; Crowns ; Molar ; Periodontium ; Pliability ; Tooth

The authors reviewed the radiographs and medical records of 134 consecutive patients who underwent chemonucleolysis and automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy(APLD) between March 1990 and December 1994 at our institute. Among the 34 consecutive patients, 90 patients underwent chemonucleolysis and the other remaining patients underwent APLD using a nucleotome. The results are summarized as follows: 1) In both groups, predominent patients were of young age and males. 2) The most common lesion was in L4-5 interspace in both groups 3) The posteior lateral type showed high incidence in APLD group. 4) The results were better in the younger age group and when spinal CT demonstrated posterior lateral type in both groups. 5) The results showed relatively good success rate of 84.4% in chemonucleolysis group and 88.6% in APLD group. 6) Better results can be anticipated when patients are carefully selected and operated on with a higher skillful technique.
Diskectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis ; Male ; Medical Records ; Spine*

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Spermatozoa* ; Vero Cells*

Structural and functional changes in the major apurinic/apyrimidinic DNA endonuclease (APEX) gene in human colorectal cancers were investigated. DNAs were prepared from surgically removed 25 human colorectal tissues and direct sequencing of PCR-amplified APEX gene covering the entire protein coding region was performed. Point mutations in 3 and silent mutations in 3 out of 25 colorectal cancer patients were found. Base substitutions in intron II were also found in 2 patients. T<-> C or some A<-> G transitions were the most typical pattern of the mutations. AP DNA endonuclease (APE) activities in normal and tumor tissues were 65.7 EU/mg and 21.7 EU/mg, respectively. APEX protein was detected in both normal and tumor tissues and no remarkable difference in the amount of APEX protein between colorectal cancer tissues and their normal counterparts was observed. The incidence of APEX gene mutation in colorectal cancer was 12% which is relatively lower than that of other genes associated with colorectal tumor, but a significant reduction of APE enzyme activities in tumor tissues, especially in those with APEX mutations, was observed. These results indicate that the decreased APE enzyme activity might be closely related to the colorectal tumorigenesis, although no quantitative correlation between APE enzyme activity and APEX content exists.
Carcinogenesis ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Deoxyribonuclease I ; DNA Repair* ; DNA* ; Hominidae ; Humans* ; Incidence ; Introns ; Open Reading Frames ; Point Mutation

The authors encountered two cases of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. One, a three-year-old male, had persistent epiphora and showed exophthalmos of the left eye. A mass was detected in the left orbit and was removed subtotally; pathologic examination revealed Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The other case, a 24-year-old male, presented with a gradually growing palpable mass in the parietal area; the skull defect was punched out in shape. The mass, which was tightly attached to the outer layer of the dura mater, was completely removed. On the basis of pathologic findings, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis was diagnosed, and the patient subsequently underwent radiotherapy.
Dura Mater ; Exophthalmos ; Histiocytosis* ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Male ; Orbit ; Rabeprazole ; Radiotherapy ; Skull ; Young Adult

The authors analyzed 72 cerebral stroke with diabetes mellitus who were admitted to our hospital during 1989 to 1993. Pathophysiology and clinical characteristic complication and mortality was analyzed. Followings are results: 1) Among 398 total cerebral stroke who were hospitalized to our hospital during 1989 to 1993, there were 72 cerebral stroke with diabetes(18%). 2) The rate of cerebral infarction and hemorrhage was 67% and 33%. The infarction rate was much higher compared with it of general cerebral stroke. 3) Various complications were presented and mortality rate was 24.% which was regarded higher than it of general cerebral stroke. 4) Association of mortality, prognostic index and other variables were analyzed.
Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mortality ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: To investigate bioartificial vessels capable of being used for vascular grafts, we studied cell-polymer constructs from venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and biodegradable scaffolds using the canine model. METHODS: Scaffolds constructed from 50/50 poly (D,L-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were created with pores containing gelatin particles. Disk type scaffolds were used as templates of cell attachment and vascular tissue regeneration. SMCs were isolated from canine external jugular veins and primary SMCs cultures were produced with the explant-derived method. SMCs were seeded into the scaffolds and cultured statically for 4 weeks. The cell-polymer constructs were examined histochemically and using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The SMCs obtained by the explant-derived method were confirmed with immunohistochemical staining using an anti-smooth muscle actin antibody. Four weeks after the SMCs were seeded into the scaffold, histological examination showed SMCs infiltration into the scaffold wall and scanning electron microscopy revealed the SMCs mass which resembled tissue on the scaffold surface. CONCLUSION: This is a pilot study for the constructing artificial vessels using tissue engineering. The construction of the ideal scaffold for vessel and the improvement of culture methods in vitro are the most important parts in this field.
Actins ; Gelatin ; Jugular Veins ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Pilot Projects ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering* ; Transplants* ; Veins*

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the comorbidity rate of ADHD in a group of patients with alcohol dependency and to find out the characteristics of alcoholic patients with ADHD using the diverse clinical and genetic variables. METHODS: Eighty five patients with alcohol dependency were recruited from 4 mental hospitals in Kyoung-Nam and Kyoung-Ki province. For the evaluation of ADHD symptoms in both childhood and adulthood, the highly structured Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV (DISC-IV)-ADHD module was used. The various standardized scales and questionnaires were also applied to evaluate the comorbid conditions and psychopathological status. All the subjects' blood was collected and genetic study for the polymorphism of DRD2, TH, 5-HTTLPR, COMT, ALDH2 was performed. RESULTS: 1) The comorbid rate of definite ADHD in alcoholic patients was 38% (28/85). 2) The frequency of unmarried status was significantly higher in ADHD group compared non-ADHD group. 3) The onset of pathologic drinking and auditory hallucination was significantly earlier in ADHD group than non-ADHD alcholic group. 4) In ADHD alcoholic group, antisocial behavior was more frequently reported, and the score of co-dependency scale, depression/anxiety, aggression and obsessive compulsive drinking scales were significantly higher compared to non-ADHD alcoholic group. 5) No signficant difference was found in the frequency of polymorphic alleles in COMT, DRD2, 5-HTTLPR, ALDH2, TH between ADHD and non-ADHD alcoholic group. CONCLUSION: In alcoholic patients, the rate of adult type ADHD was higher than expected rate in general population. The alcoholic patients with ADHD suffered from more sever degree of alcohol dependency and earlier alcohol related problems. ADHD-alcoholic group showed higher diverse comorbid psychopathology and lower marital status compared to non-ADHD-alcoholic group. No difference, however, was found in genetic data between two groups.
Adult ; Aggression ; Alcoholics ; Alleles ; Appointments and Schedules ; Comorbidity ; Drinking ; Hallucinations ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Psychopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Single Person ; Statistics as Topic* ; Weights and Measures

Premature separation of the placenta(abruptio placentae), as a serious obstetric complication, has been recognized to be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) in the newborn period. However, pathologic evidence for DIC generally has been lacking or rarely reported. Recently we have experienced one case of DIC in an infant born after abruptio placentae. The infant had suffered from cyanosis, dyspnea and convulsion. The peripheral blood smear of this infant revealed severe thrombocytopenia, but there was no evidence of external bleeding. At autopsy widespread hyaline thrombi were observed in the small vessels and capillaries of the brain and liver. The brain showed diffuse cortical and subcortical white matter necrosis associated with hemorrhage. Bilateral symmetrical necrosis of the thalamus was also seen. Massive fresh hemorrhage was present in the endometrium and myometrium. We considered tha tthe above findings were consistent with DIC. Pertinent literatures on neonatal DIC are also reviewed briefly.
Abruptio Placentae* ; Animals ; Autopsy ; Brain ; Capillaries ; Cyanosis ; Dacarbazine ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation* ; Dyspnea ; Endometrium ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Liver ; Mice ; Myometrium ; Necrosis ; Pregnancy ; Seizures ; Thalamus ; Thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of ethanol embolization for the treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and the complications, if any, arising. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with AVMs underwent 145 staged sessions of ethanol embolization. AVMs were located in an upper extremity (n=14), a lower extremity (n=10), the pelvis (n=7), the thorax (n=1), or the abdomen (n=1). Eighty-five transcatheter embolizations and 60 direct percutaneous puncture embolizations were performed, and seven patients underwent additional coil embolization of the dilated outflow vein. The therapeutic effectiveness of embolization was evaluated in terms of the extent to which an AVM was obliterated between baseline and the final angiogram. Complications were classified as minor or major. RESULTS: In 13 patients (39%), AVMs were totally obliterated. In eitht patients (24%), more than 75% were obliterated; in three (9%), the proportion was 50-75%; and in four (12%), less than 50%. Five patients (15%), were not treated. The reasons for failure were the difficulty of approaching the nidus due to previous surgical ligation or coil embolization of the feeding artery, the subcutaneous location of an AVM, post-procedural infection, and massive bleeding during the follow-up period. Twenty-one minor complications such as focal skin necrosis or transient nerve palsy developed during 145 sessions of (an incidence of 14%), but these were relieved by conservative treatment. The five major complications arising (3%) were cerebral infarction, urinary tract infection, acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis, permanent median nerve palsy, and infection. CONCLUSION: Ethanol embolization by direct percutaneous puncture or using a transcatheter technique is an effective approach to the treatment of an AVM. However, to overcome the considerable number of complications arising, further investigation is required.
Abdomen ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Cerebral Infarction ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Ethanol* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ligation ; Lower Extremity ; Median Nerve ; Necrosis ; Paralysis ; Pelvis ; Punctures ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Skin ; Thorax ; Upper Extremity ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Veins