The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment effects of the modified Teuscher appliance (MTA) in early Class II division 1 malocclusion. For this purpose, treatment effects of the bionator were compared with those of the MTA. The twenty subjects who were treated excellently with bionator and MTA were selected in each group. In pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms, 50 variables were measured, and then the differences between pretreatment and posttreatment data of the bionator and the MTA were statistically evaluated by t-test. The results were as follows : 1. The linear measurements that showed large difference between the bionator group and the MTA group are U1 to FH, U1 to PP, U6 to FH, U6 to PP, Ar-Pog, ramus height, L1 to A-Pog, L1 to facial plane (p<0.05). 2. The angular measurements that showed large difference between the bionator group and the MTA group are SNB, SNA, FABA, APDI (p<0.05). 3. The measurements of the growth pattern such as facial height ratio, FMA, SN-MP angle showed no difference between two groups (p>0.05). These results suggest that the bionator influence the mandiblar growth and lower dentoalveolar structures more than the MTA, and the MTA influence upper jaw and upper dentoalveolar structures more than the bionator comparatively in early Class II division I malocclusion.
Activator Appliances ; Jaw ; Malocclusion* ; Pemetrexed

BACKGROUND: The stratum corneum(SC) has a permeability barrier function which regulates percutaneous absorption by the inhibition of transepidermal water loss(TEWL). Acute mechanical or chemical disruption of the SC induces the impairment of the permeability barrier and so increases the TEWL. The calciumtion has been recognized as an important ion in the recovery of the skin barrier. Recently the main delivery pathway of iontophoretic drugs have been suggested by SC interstices. However the morphologic changes in the SC interstices and calcium after iontophoresis have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to confirm that iontophoresis may induce changes in the SC interstices and delay the recovery of the barrier after disruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After tape stripping the hairless mouse flank skin, the iontophoresis power supply (6V, 0.6mA) was connected to the patch atiached for 2.5 hours to the stripped site. We checked the THWL 0, 2.5, 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after the tape stripping and obtained specimens and performed osmium tetroxide, ruthenium tetroxide postfixation and calcium ion-capture cytochemical stains for electron microscopic study. RESULTS: The recovery rate of the TEWL in iontophoresis was lower than in the control. This was especially so in the anouse which had received anode iontophoresis for 6 hours. It showed statistically lower TEWL than in the control(p<0.05). Anode iontophoresis induced low calcium in stratum granulosum (SG), but cathode iontophoresis induced high calcium in SC. After iontophoresis there were changes in the SC interstices structures. CONCLUSION: Iontophoresis can induce changes in the SC interstices and calcium distribution and so may help the topical drug delivery system.
Animals ; Calcium ; Coloring Agents ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electric Power Supplies ; Electrodes ; Iontophoresis* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Permeability ; Ruthenium ; Skin ; Skin Absorption

While there has not been a nationwide cancer incidence data yet, it is necessary to consider a preferable method for estimation of nationwide cancer incidence under the cancer registry system in Korea. Some papers and texts related to estimate a nationwide cancer incidence were searched and reviewed. It could be summarized into 5 major methods: (1) for having only mortality data for all cancers, (2) of using major demographic factors, (3) of using nationwide mortality data, (4) of using nationwide mortality and survival data, and (5) of considering cancer risk factors. Among the methods, second method of using major demographic factors would be preferable in Korean situation
Demography ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Mortality ; Registries* ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Expression of adhesion molecules is significantly correlated with the invasion and the metastasis of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to identify the importance of the expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin as a prognostic factor in T2 colorectal cancer. METHODS: Forty-five cases of primary T2 colorectal cancers were selected between February 1997 and February 2000. We evaluated the membranous expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin by using immunohistochemisty and analyzed the relationship with various clinicopathologic parameters. RESULTS: Loss of membranous E-cadherin was significantly associated with histologic differentiation (P=0.023), vascular invasion (P<0.001), lymphatic invasion (P<0.001), and lymph-node metastases (P=0.001). Similar patterns were observed in the expression of beta-catenin. The correlation between the E-cadherin and the beta-catenin expressions was statistically significant (P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, neither the loss of expression of E-cadherin nor beta-catenin is a risk factor affecting lymph-node metastasis in T2 colorectal cancers. However, there were significant differences in the 5-year disease-free survival rates between the positive (+/-, +) and the negative (-) expression groups of E-cadherin and beta-catenin (P=0.015, 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that loss of membranous expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin molecules correlates with poor prognostic factors and indicates invasion and metastasis in T2 colorectal cancer, which, therefore, might be predictive of short survival in these patients.
beta Catenin ; Cadherins ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Risk Factors

Flexor spasm caused by stroke has been rarely reported. We describe a 79-year-old man who suddenly presented with flexor spasm of left limb and neck muscles. His symptoms consisted of recurrent episodes of brief paroxysmal flexor contractions of left limb and neck muscles without alteration of consciousness. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed acute infarction in right basal ganglia. The abnormal movement was not associated with any epileptiform discharges in the video-electroencephalography monitoring. It was controlled with carbamazepine and phenytoin.
Aged ; Basal Ganglia* ; Brain ; Carbamazepine ; Consciousness ; Dyskinesias ; Extremities ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Muscles ; Phenytoin ; Spasm* ; Stroke

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a necrotizing vasculitis with extra-, peri-vascular eosinophilic infiltration. Chronic symmetric polyarthritis with the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody are the mainstay of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis. Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral neuropathy involving more than 2 separate nerve areas. A 62-year-old male patient was referred for left foot drop and polyarthritis of both hands and feet for 4 months. During evaluation, mononeuritis multiplex was detected on nerve conduction study and electromyography tests: vasculitis with neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte infiltration on peroneal nerve biopsy. A positive response to methacholin and bronchodilator was observed on the pulmonary function test. Radiologic tests showed peri-articular soft tissue swelling and osteopenia on both hand and foot. Marked peripheral eosinophilia, high RF, and positive perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were detected on blood tests. Here, we report on a patient with overlap syndrome of CSS and RA with review of the relevant literature, from which a few references to overlap syndrome of CSS and RA were available.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Biopsy ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Electromyography ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Foot ; Hand ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mononeuropathies ; Neural Conduction ; Neutrophils ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Peroneal Nerve ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Vasculitis

To investigate the effect of smoking and drinking habit on the health status in lead using industries, 2,785 male workers in lead using industries (7 storage battery industries, 7 secondary smelting and related industries, and 4 primary metal and other manufacturing industries) were selected for this study. This study was carried out as a part of periodic health examination. Selected study variables were zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP), SGOT and SGPT for laboratory test. Questionnaire for lead related symptoms and smoking and drinking habit was provided to all the workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by physician. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The overall smoking and drinking rate of study population were 69.8% and 73.6%, respectively. While the smoking and drinking rate of storage battery workers were 68.8% and 72.3%, those of secondary smelting industries and other industries were 66.0% and 66.4% and 74.6 and 80.3% respectively. 2. While the mean values of blood ZPP of lead exposed workers were significantly higher than other group, those of SGOT of storage battery workers were significant higher than other worker. But there were no differences of mean values of other variables. 3. Smoking habit did not affect on the mean value of blood ZPP of workers in special health examination group, but there were significant differences of blood ZPP and SGOT between drinker and non-drinker. 4. Symptom prevalence of lead exposure were higher in drinking and smoking group than non-drinking and non-smoking group. 5. In multiple regression analysis of the total lead related symptoms, blood ZPP, SGOT, and SGPT as dependent variable, respectively, and age, work duration, blood ZPP, pack year and amount of alcohol drinking as independent variables, work duration, pack year, amount of alcohol drinking, age contributed to total symptoms; and age, work duration, pack year contributed to blood ZPP; and age, amount of alcohol drinking, work duration contributed to SGOT; and pack year contributed to SGPT.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Drinking* ; Humans ; Male ; Osmeriformes ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Zinc

OBJECTIVE: Long-term use of the analgesic acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis is limited due to the lack of effectiveness and presence of side effects. Celecoxib is a selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 and expected to help NSAIDs in expressing the effective anti-inflammatory effect by not inhibiting COX-1. Thus, 200 mg of celecoxib and 100 mg of slow releasing diclofenac were compared for their effectiveness and safety in Korean patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: We administered 200 mg of celecoxib or 100 mg of slow releasing diclofenac in 223 randomly selected patients with knee osteoarthritis for 4 weeks. The effectiveness of these drugs on osteoarthritis was assessed by evaluating pain in each patient, making overall evaluation on osteoarthritis by the patient and his/her attending physician, and measuring the severity indices on osteoarthritis before treatment, and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment. Moreover, safety and drug resistance were evaluated by assessing the rate of adverse effects, rate of withdrawal, laboratory tests, and vital signs. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis were improved significantly by 4 weeks after treatment with celecoxib and diclofenac. According to the results of overall evaluation made by attending physicians 2 weeks after treatment, the rate of improvement was 49.5% in celecoxib group and 35.7% in diclofenac group, showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.023). Other than this difference, no other significant difference was present between the two groups with other variables used for the evaluation of effectiveness. The rate of adverse effects was significantly lower in celecoxib group compared with diclofenac group. According to laboratory findings, no abnormal figure was found in both groups but total bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT were consistently higher in patients in diclofenac group. Thirteen patients dropped out of the study due to side effects (10 patients) and treatment failure (3 patients). CONCLUSION: Our findings from the clinical comparison of celecoxib and diclofenac in Korean patients with knee osteoarthritis were similar to those results found in previous studies. Although celecoxib showed similar effectiveness as diclofenac on knee osteoarthritis in the treatment of symptoms, it showed a lower rate of adverse effects; thus, we concluded that celecoxib is safer compared with diclofenac.
Acetaminophen ; Alanine Transaminase ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Diclofenac* ; Drug Resistance ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Treatment Failure ; Vital Signs

PURPOSE: We estimated the incidence of cancer in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The indicence of cancer was estimated using national mortality data, and the incidence data from four frontier regional cancer registries, including Kangwha, Seoul, Busan and Deagu. These four registries served a population about seventeen million, which is almost 38% of entire population in Korea. RESULTS: The overall age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were 287.0 and 163.1 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. Among males, stomach cancer was the most frequent (ASR 69.6), followed by lung cancers, including bronchus cancer (ASR 54.5), liver cancer (ASR 47.0) and colo-rectal cancer (ASR 25.2). The most frequent sites of cancer in females, by rank order, were stomach (ASR 26.8), breast (ASR 20.1), uterine cervix (ASR 18.0), colo-rectum (ASR 15.9), lung (ASR 13.0) and liver (ASR 12.0). CONCLUSION: It is hoped that these results will provide valuable leads for cancer research and cancer control in Korea.
Breast ; Bronchi ; Busan ; Cervix Uteri ; Daegu ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea* ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; Registries ; Seoul ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES: To determine the yield of bronchoscopy for evaluating tracheobronchial spread in esophageal carcinoma and to identify the conditions for bronchoscopy in patients with newly diagnosed esophageal carcinoma, who planned to be operated. METHODS: From March 1989 to June 1997, 115 patients with esophageal carcinoma had received bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopic findings were classified into three types: Type I: no definitive endobronchial lesion, Type II: indirect effects(hyperemia and compression), Type III: invasion. CT findings were classified into three classes: Class A: tumor separated from tracheobronchial tree, Class B: abutting tree, Class C: compressing tree. We investigated the correlations of clinical presentation and non-invasive tests (including esophagogram) with bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS: 1) Among 115 patients, bronchoscopic findings were Type I in 67(58.3%), Type II in 34(29.6%), Type III in 14(12.2%). 2) Abnormal bronchoscopic findings are related with length of lesion by esophagogram.(p < 0.05) 3) Class C lesion by chest CT scan were closely correlated with abnormal bronchoscopic findings. 4) Chest symptoms were frequently associated with type III lesion of bronchoscopy CONCLUSION: We could recommend preoperative bronchoscopy in recently diagnosed as esophageal carcinoma who got more than 2 of 3 variables listed below: 1) patients who had chest symptoms, such as cough with sputum, hemoptysis, and dyspnea 2) length of tumor is long in esophagogram(above 5 cm in length), 3) tracheobronchial compressed lesion by chest CT scan. Bronchoscopy is not needed in cases with no chest symptom, short lesion length(below 5 cm) and normal chest CT finding for preoperative evaluation of esophageal carcinoma.
Bronchoscopy* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed