The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of masticatory muscle activity and various oral condition factors, and to analyze their associations in order to improve the prevention and diagnosis of masticatory musclerelated diseases. This study included 30 Korean females (mean age of 20 years, age range of 19–21 years). Participants were instructed to complete a self-written questionnaire on factors that may affect their muscle activity. Surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. We also observed the buccal mucosa ridge, tongue indentation, tooth cracks and fractures, and mandibular tori in the oral cavity. Spearman correlation analysis and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test were applied to the data. When subjects had temporomandibular disorder, the right temporalis muscle exhibited significantly lower activity (P<0.05). Those who had received orthodontic treatment within the previous 2 years showed significantly lower activity of the left masseter muscle (P<0.05). Those who had a left buccal mucosa ridge exhibited lower activity of the left masseter muscle and higher activity of the right temporalis muscle compared with those without such a ridge (P<0.05). Participants with no tongue indentation showed significantly higher activity in the left masseter muscle (P<0.05). These results indicate that there are relationships between masticatory muscle activity and various factors related to the oral condition.

Adult ; Cheek ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Tongue

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the stalk and the inchworm sign on preoperative MRI for detecting superficial bladder cancers, and to compare the diagnostic performance between the stalk and the inchworm sign. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 240 patients (505 tumors) who had undergone radical cystectomy. The tumors were classified as follows: superficial or invasive tumors indicated by the stalk or inchworm sign on 3.0 Tesla MRI. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the stalk and inchworm signs, by comparing each finding with the postoperative pathologic T stage. We compared diagnostic performance between them statistically. Results: The stalk and inchworm signs showed high specificity (93% and 91%, respectively), positive predictive values (89% and 90%, respectively), and acceptable accuracy (70% and 74%, respectively), but low sensitivity (54% and 61%, respectively) and negative predictive values (60% and 63%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two signs (p > 0.05). Conclusion Superficial bladder cancers could be differentiated from invasive tumors using the stalk or inchworm sign on MRI.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the stalk and the inchworm sign on preoperative MRI for detecting superficial bladder cancers, and to compare the diagnostic performance between the stalk and the inchworm sign. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 240 patients (505 tumors) who had undergone radical cystectomy. The tumors were classified as follows: superficial or invasive tumors indicated by the stalk or inchworm sign on 3.0 Tesla MRI. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the stalk and inchworm signs, by comparing each finding with the postoperative pathologic T stage. We compared diagnostic performance between them statistically. Results: The stalk and inchworm signs showed high specificity (93% and 91%, respectively), positive predictive values (89% and 90%, respectively), and acceptable accuracy (70% and 74%, respectively), but low sensitivity (54% and 61%, respectively) and negative predictive values (60% and 63%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two signs (p > 0.05). Conclusion Superficial bladder cancers could be differentiated from invasive tumors using the stalk or inchworm sign on MRI.

Objective: Preoperative differential diagnosis of follicular-patterned lesions is challenging. This multicenter cohort study investigated the clinicoradiological characteristics relevant to the differential diagnosis of such lesions. Materials and Methods: From June to September 2015, 4787 thyroid nodules (≥ 1.0 cm) with a final diagnosis of benign follicular nodule (BN, n = 4461), follicular adenoma (FA, n = 136), follicular carcinoma (FC, n = 62), or follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC, n = 128) collected from 26 institutions were analyzed. The clinicoradiological characteristics of the lesions were compared among the different histological types using multivariable logistic regression analyses. The relative importance of the characteristics that distinguished histological types was determined using a random forest algorithm. Results: Compared to BN (as the control group), the distinguishing features of follicular-patterned neoplasms (FA, FC, and FVPTC) were patient’s age (odds ratio [OR], 0.969 per 1-year increase), lesion diameter (OR, 1.054 per 1-mm increase), presence of solid composition (OR, 2.255), presence of hypoechogenicity (OR, 2.181), and presence of halo (OR, 1.761) (all p < 0.05). Compared to FA (as the control), FC differed with respect to lesion diameter (OR, 1.040 per 1-mm increase) and rim calcifications (OR, 17.054), while FVPTC differed with respect to patient age (OR, 0.966 per 1-year increase), lesion diameter (OR, 0.975 per 1-mm increase), macrocalcifications (OR, 3.647), and non-smooth margins (OR, 2.538) (all p < 0.05). The five important features for the differential diagnosis of follicular-patterned neoplasms (FA, FC, and FVPTC) from BN are maximal lesion diameter, composition, echogenicity, orientation, and patient’s age. The most important features distinguishing FC and FVPTC from FA are rim calcifications and macrocalcifications, respectively. Conclusion Although follicular-patterned lesions have overlapping clinical and radiological features, the distinguishing features identified in our large clinical cohort may provide valuable information for preoperative distinction between them and decision-making regarding their management.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cervicogram as primary screening test of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: Total 294 women who had undergone cervicogram and pathologically diagnosed at YUMC between January and July 2003, were selected. Diagnostic accuracy of Pap smear, cervicogram and Pap smear combined with cervicogram were compared with pathologic diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test (SPSS version 11.0). RESULTS: 1. Among 294 women, Pap smears were normal in 130 cases (44.2%) and abnormal in 164 cases (55.8%). The diagnostic accuracy between Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 72.0%, specificity 64.6%, positive predictive value 72.0%, negative predictive value 64.6%, false positive rate 28.0%, false negative rate 35.4%. 2. Cervicogram were normal in 202 cases (68.7%) and abnormal in 92 cases (31.3%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram and histology was as follows; sensitivity 39.6%, specificity 79.2%, positive predictive value 70.7%, negative predictive value 31.0%, false positive rate 29.3%, false negative rate 49.0%. 3. Among 130 women with normal Pap smear, cervicogram were normal in 101 cases (77.7%) and abnormal in 29 cases (22.3%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram with normal Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 26.1%, specificity 79.8%, positive predictive value 41.4%, negative predictive value 66.3%, false positive rate 58.6%, false negative rate 33.7%. 4. Among 164 women with abnormal Pap smear, Cervicograms were normal in 101 cases (61.6%) and abnormal in 63 cases (38.4%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram with abnormal Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 44.9%, specificity 78.3%, positive predictive value 84.1%, negative predictive value 32.7%, false positive rate 15.9%, false negative rate 67.3%. CONCLUSION: Although adjunctive use of cervicogram to Pap smear in initial screening of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia showed higher specificity, higher negative predictive value and lower false negative rate compared to Pap smear alone, but, consideration in terms of lower sensitivity, lower positive predictive value, higher false positive rate and cost-effectiveness should be given in lieu of clinically applicating cervicogram with Pap smear as initial screening test.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The digastric muscle is located in the suprahyoid region which consists of anterior belly, intermediate tendon and posterior belly. This muscle is an important landmark when performing an operation of submental and upper neck region. Previous researches have reported about variations of the anterior and posterior belly of digastric muscle. However, there are few studies about the general morphology of the digastric muscle and the relationship with surrounding muscles. The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphology of the anterior belly of digastric muscle and confirm the topographic relationship between the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle of Korean. Thirty-four cadavers (21 males, 13 females; mean age 65 years; range 24~89 years) were used in this study. The skin, subcutaneous tissues, superficial fascia and platysma were removed and a detailed dissection was performed, with extreme care being taken not to damage underlying the muscles of submental and upper neck region. After the dissections, all specimens were sketched and photographed. In 8 specimens, we observed the accessory bellies of the anterior belly of digastric muscle. We classified the accessory bellies into the crossover type (five specimens, 14.7%) that cross the mandibular raphe and unilateral type (three specimens, 8.82%). The findings resulting from observation of the anatomical relationship between the posterior belly of digastric and stylohyoid muscles, the posterior belly of digastric muscle perforated the stylohyoid muscle in 32 cases (65%) out of 49 sides. This case was subdivided into the belly of the stylohyoid muscle lean to the lateral (twenty-one specimens, 42.9%) or medial side (eleven specimens, 22.4%) of the posterior belly of digastric muscle. In 17 specimens (35%), the stylohyoid muscle existed on the medial side of the posterior belly of digastric muscle.
Anatomic Variation ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Neck ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Tendons

Malignant mixed mullerain tumors (MMMT) are rare neoplasms of the female genital tract that histolotically consist of malignant epithelial and stromal components, arising in the endometirum, followed in decreasing order by the vagina, cervix, and ovary. Tubal origin is extremely rare and accounts for less than 4% of all MMMTs. Most of the patients present with nonspecific abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Nonspecific findings on imaging studies also make exact preoperative diagnosis very difficult, mostly mistaken as ovarian malignancies. The primary goal of treatment is removal of tumor mass by cytoreductive surgery. Postoperatively, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is added, but prognosis is very poor. The best form of postoperative adjuvant therapy is not yet established due to the rarity of this disease entity. We report a case of a malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the fallopian tube that we have experienced recently with a brief review of the literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Fallopian Tubes* ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Vagina

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of depressive symptoms in patients with hypertension.METHODS: The participants were 124 outpatients with hypertension who were treated at the Department of cardiology, Chosun University Hospital. Each subject was assessed concerning depressive symptom severity, state-trait anger, ego resilience, social conflict, and perceived stress using self-report questionnaires. A logistic regression model was constructed to examine the impact of psychosocial factors on depressive symptoms.RESULTS: A total of 37.1% of participants were identified as having depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with perceived stress, trait anger, social conflict, and state anger. On the other hand, ego resilience was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Further, perceived stress and state anger were related to a higher risk of depressive symptoms whereas ego resilience were associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with hypertension. Moreover, several possible risk and protective psychosocial factors of depressive symptoms were determined. Especially, our findings suggest that improving ego resilience as well as lowering perceived stress and state anger would be important in the prevention and management of depression in patients with hypertension.
Anger ; Cardiology ; Depression ; Ego ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Psychology

Chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones), a flavonoid subfamily, are widely known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Propenone moiety in chalcones is known to play an important role in generating biological responses by chalcones. In the present study, we synthesized chalcone derivatives structurally modified in propenone moiety and examined inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and its potential mechanisms. Among the chalcone derivatives used for this study, TI-I-174 (3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(thiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) most potently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitrite production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. TI-I-174 treatment also markedly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. However, TI-I-174 did not significantly affect production of IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), implying that TI-I-174 inhibits production of inflammatory mediators in a selective manner. Treatment of macrophages with TI-I-174 significantly inhibited transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) as determined by luciferase reporter gene assay, whereas nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity was not affected by TI-I-1744. In addition, TI-I-174 significantly inhibited activation of c-Jun-N-Terminal kinase (JNK) without affecting ERK1/2 and p38MAPK, indicating that down-regulation of iNOS gene expression by TI-I-174 is mainly attributed by blockade of JNK/AP-1 activation. We also demonstrated that TI-I-174 treatment led to an increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression both at mRNA and protein level. Transfection of siRNA targeting HO-1 reversed TI-I-174-mediated inhibition of nitrite production. Taken together, these results indicate that TI-I-174 suppresses NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages via induction of HO-1 and blockade of AP-1 activation.
Chalcone* ; Chalcones ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Luciferases ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitric Oxide* ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transcription Factor AP-1* ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha