According to repeated measurements and correction procedures, the accuracy of the phase-shifting profilometry was developed. At first, after 20 final models for maxillary complete denture were duplicated, the mucosa surfaces of models were measured with the phase-shifting profilometry and each mirror view of these was calibrated. Maxillary cats were divided into 4 groups of 5 casts per each, and wax dentures with 2 sheets of baseplate wax and artificial teeth were made and then cured according to the curing method of each group. Group I ; quick curing with QC-20 acrylic resin Group II ; 9 hour curing with QC-20 acrylic resin Group III ; SR-Ivocap system Group IV ; metal base and quick curing with QC-20 acrylic resin After curing, polishing, and storing at 37degrees C n saline for 30 days, the forms of the impression surface of the dentures were measured with the phase-shifting profilometry. Then, the impression surface form of each denture was placed in the optimal position of comparison with the mirror view of the same final cast. The amount and direction of distortion of each denture was analyzed and the effects of polishing and storage in each denture were compared. The obtained results were as follows : 1. In Group I, the denture was observed as the appearance distorted in the opposite direction of the mucosa and the postero-lateral part of palatal portion of the denture was observed as the appearance separated from the mucosa. Also, the buccal flanges of the denture were observed as the appearance distorted in the direction of the mucosa. 2. In Group II, the postero-lateral part of palatal portion of the denture was observed as the appearance separated slightly from the mucosa. The bilateral buccal flanges of denture were observed as the appearance distorted severely in the direction of the mucosa. 3. In Group III, the bilateral part of the residual ridge crest portions and the buccal flanges of the denture were observed as the appearance distorted in the direction of the mucosa, and specially, the buccal flanges of the maxillary tuberosities were distorted severely. 4. In Group IV, the acrylic resin base of the buccal portion of the denture was observed as the appearance distorted in the opposite direction of the mucosa. 5. The phase-shifting profilometry, done with repeated measurements and correction procedures, was effective in comparing the amount and direction of distortion at every position after the laboratory work and the delivery of maxillary complete denture.
Animals ; Cats ; Denture, Complete ; Dentures* ; Mucous Membrane ; Tooth, Artificial

Embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula(CCF) by means of a detachable balloon is a well-established method for treating CCFs while preserving a patent parent internal carotid artery(ICA). However, failure to embolize the CCF may occur on a few occasions. Herein we describe a stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil embolization that completely occludes the fistulous opening rather than fills the cavernous sinus. By applying this technique, we successfully treated a CCF, without compromise of the parent ICA in patients who has failed with balloon technique previously.
Cavernous Sinus ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Parents ; Stents*

It is well established that mast cell proliferation and maturation are regulated by two principle cytokines, IL-3 and the c-kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF). Previous reports have demonstrated that bone marrow-derived IL-3-dependent mast cells exhibit the characteristic apoptosis on removal of IL-3. To know how the number of mast cells is controlled, we observed the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the murine bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC). Apoptosis was measured by the analysis of flow cytometric data and electrophoretic evidence of DNA fragmentation. Our data showed that sodiurn nitroprusside (SNP)-a NO releasing substance- induced apoptosis in BMCMC. Cell cycle analysis showed that the number of the G,/G, and S phase decreased markedly, while the percentage of cell in G,/M phase was increased. Also, SNP alone induced cell death, whereas SNP in combination with SCF markedly decreased cell death of BMCMC. SNP-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by the treatment of BMCMC with SCF. Our results suggest that NO might have sorne role in the regulation of the number of mast cells.
Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cytokines ; DNA Fragmentation ; Interleukin-3 ; Mast Cells* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Nitroprusside ; S Phase ; Stem Cell Factor

No abstract available.
Bupivacaine* ; Morphine* ; Prospective Studies*

Well differentiated thymic carcinoma(WDTC) was recently separated from cortical thymoma. It is characterized by a predominance of epithelial cells with usually low mitotic rate, an epidermoid differentiation with slight to moderate cytologic atypia and lobular growth pattern. In recent reports, an uncommon spindle cell variant of WDTC, which is composed of spindle shaped epithelial cells, has been described. We investigated an unusual case of WDTC consisted of purely spindle shaped epithelial cells in a 66-year-old female. Radiologically, the well demarcated mass was located in the anterior mediastinum with focal invasion into the surrounding left upper lung. The tumor, 10 x 8 x 5 cm, was encapsulated with thin fibrous tissue and showed a pale yellow solid and lobulated cut surface. Microscopically, it consisted of solid sheets of purely spindle shaped epithelial cells with mild atypism, a low mitotic rate and focal epidennoid differentiation.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Aneurysm*

BACKGROUND: The atrial repolarization waves might contribute to ST segment depression during the exercise loading test. As atrial repolarization waves are opposite in direction to P waves, they could shift the ST segment in the absence of myocardial ischemia. METHODS: The exercise test in 20 patients was seemed false positive because of normal coronary angiogram. Twenty-six patients with at least one coronary stenosis > or =50% served as a true positive group. The P waves, PR segments and ST segment were studied in leads II, III, aVF and V4 to V6 in those 46 patients whose exercise ECG suggested ischemia. RESULTS: The finding of steeply downsloping PR segment, particularly in the inferior ECG leads, in patients with longer exercise time and higher exercise heart rate might predict a false positive exercise test in those with a normal rest ECG and no apparent reason for a false positive test. The combination of downsloping PR segments in two of three inferior leads plus either exercise duration > or =5 min or peak heart rate > or =130 bests/min idenified false positive tests with a sesitivity of 75% and a specificity of 81% to 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial repolarization waves might play a role in exercise induced ST segment depression.
Coronary Stenosis ; Depression ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Pulsatile tinnitus is perceived as sounds that vary in frequency, intensity and duration. It is also characterised by its unique feature of rhythmicity that is synchronous with the human pulse. Clinically, it is a serious disorder because it is associated with other life threatening or curable diseases. Pulsatile tinnitus may originate from several sites including the arterial, arteriovenous, venous vessels and the myoclonus. Jugular bulb diverticulum, one of the causes of venous pulsatile tinnitus, is observed as a protrusion of the jugular vein lumen with a waist like margin. It may extend either laterally in the tympanic cavity or medially towards the petrous pyramid close to the inner ear. This leads to pulsatile tinnitus, sensorineural or conductive hearing loss and vertigo. In this paper we report a recent case in which we confirmed jugular bulb diverticulum in a 59 years-old woman whose complaint of pulsatile tinnitus was spontaneously disappeared during the follow up.
Diverticulum* ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss, Conductive ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Middle Aged ; Myoclonus ; Periodicity ; Petrous Bone ; Tinnitus* ; Vertigo

Rhino-orbito-cerebral muconnycosis is an uncommon fatal fringal infection, almost exclusively seen in diabetic or other itnmunocompromised patients. Recurrent transient ischemic attacks(TIAs) as initial presenting sign of rhino-orbito-cerebral mycormycosis has not been reported to our knowledge. We report a patient with muconnycosis unusually presenting with recurrent TIAs, followed by central retinal artery occlusion, multiple cranial nerve palsies, and then cerebral infarction in the territory of middle cerebral artery.
Cerebral Infarction ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Humans ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Mucormycosis* ; Retinal Artery Occlusion

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and alcohol dependence are associated with serotonin metabolism. We assessed the methylation level of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) promoter region in control and alcohol dependent patients. METHODS: Twenty seven male patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder IV (DSM-IV) criteria for alcohol dependence were compared with fifteen controls. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of bisulfate-modified DNA were designed to amplify a part of the CpG island in the 5HTT gene. Pyrosequencing was performed and the methylation level at seven CpG island sites was measured. RESULTS: We found no differences in the methylation patterns of the serotonin transporter linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) between alcohol-dependent and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our negative finding may be because 5-HTT epigenetic variation may not affect the expression for 5-HTT or there may be other methylation site critical for its expression. To find out more conclusive result, repeating the study in more methylation sites with a larger number of samples in a well-controlled setting is needed.
Alcoholism ; Anxiety ; CpG Islands ; Depression ; DNA ; Epigenomics ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; Methylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Serotonin ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins