Most elderly women experience a decrease in their bone density due to a deficiency of calcium intake, ovariectomy, or menopause. This study evaluated the usability of the microscrew as a skeletal anchorage system in these orthodontic treatment cases, using rats as a research group. The 4 month old sprague-dawley species rats were divided into two groups, the OS (Ovariectomy Screw), and the SS (Sham operation Screw) group. In both the OS and SS groups, microscrews were implanted into the palatal bone between the upper molar teeth and two upper incisors were retracted using NiTi coil spring with 75 g of force. After 3 days, the again after 7 days, 7 rats in each group were sacrificed. Three days before they were sacrificed, Alizarin red S was intraperitoneally injected, and their maxillary bone, tibia and blood from their hearts were taken. The components of the extracted blood were biochemically analyzed and non-decalcified grinding resin sections for maxillary bone and tibia were made. The sections were examined with a polarization microscope, and fluorescent microscope. Smaller concentrations of Ca and P, the inorganic substances closely related to bone density, were found in the extracted blood of the OS group. Both OS and SS groups showed a possibility of bone remodeling with a high concentration of ALP after 7 days. An increase in bone density on the tension and compression sides of the microscrew and the tension side of the tooth for both OS and SS groups was confirmed with a polarization microscope. However, the bone density of the pressure side of the tooth and apical side was decreased. More deposits of Alizarin red S in the bone after 7 days rather than 3 days seen with a fluorescent microscope suggested the existence of new bone formation.
Aged ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Remodeling ; Calcium ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Incisor ; Infant ; Maxilla ; Menopause ; Molar ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia ; Tooth

The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve, which is characterized by a fenestrated, netlike structure in the right atrium and has the potential to be misdiagnosed as another right atrial pathology. Additionally, the Chiari network has been frequently reported to entrap intracardiac devices during surgical procedures. In this case report, we present two patients with a Chiari network confirmed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, which assisted in preventing device entrapment during intracardiac procedures.

The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve, which is characterized by a fenestrated, netlike structure in the right atrium and has the potential to be misdiagnosed as another right atrial pathology. Additionally, the Chiari network has been frequently reported to entrap intracardiac devices during surgical procedures. In this case report, we present two patients with a Chiari network confirmed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, which assisted in preventing device entrapment during intracardiac procedures.

Angiodysplasia is probably responsible for 2.6-6.2% of cases involving of lower gastrointestinal bleeding and 1.2-8.0% of cases involving hemorrhages from the upper GI tract. Small bowel neoplasia is rare, accounting for about 5% of gastrointestinal tumors overall and 2-3% of all malignacies. The third most common malignany of the small bowel is the sarcoma, of which the leiomyosarcoma is the most frequent. A 54-year-old male patient was admitted with the chief complaints of dizziness and headache during 2 months. Laboratory findings revealed iron deficiency anemia. A superior mesenteric arteriography found an intensive vascular stained mass in the hepatic flexure. A celiac artery angiography discovered a irregulary vascular stained lesion in the Ll vertebral level. A colonoscopy located a 10 mm sized angiodysplasia in the right colon. According to these findings, we presumed that these lesions are a colonic angiodysplasia and a suspicious duodenal lesion. The operation was perfomed. The final diagnosis was a colonic angiodysplasia combined with leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum. The rarity of this case is emphasized and the literative reviewed.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Angiodysplasia ; Angiography ; Celiac Artery ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Duodenum ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an important public health problem in South Korea. MDR-TB is difficult to control, and treatment is less effective than for drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The aim of this report is to determine the risk factors for poor outcomes for MDR-TB. METHODS: We retrospectively and consecutively analyzed the clinical outcomes of MDR-TB patients registered at a single tuberculosis-specialized hospital in South Korea from January 2005 to February 2011. We used standard treatment outcome definitions for MDR-TB and used the combination of “defaulted”, “treatment failed”, and “died” as a composite poor outcome variable. We analyzed the risk factors associated with poor outcome. RESULTS: Among the 258 patients sampled, 91 (35.3%) had MDR-TB on their first tuberculosis infection, while 167 patients (64.7%) who had previously been treated for tuberculosis had MDR-TB over the study period. Treatment outcomes revealed that 207 patients (80.2%) were cured of their infection, 15 (5.8%) completed their treatment, one (0.4%) defaulted treatment, 6 (2.3%) died, and treatment failed for 29 patients (11.3%). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis found that poor outcome were associated with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-5.15, p = 0.008), being susceptible to four or fewer drugs at the start of treatment (HR: 3.89; 95% CI: 1.38-10.96, p = 0.01), and ofloxacin resistance (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.06-5.81, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight, susceptibility to four or fewer drugs, and ofloxacin resistance are independent prognostic factors of poor outcome for MDR-TB patients.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Korea* ; Ofloxacin ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Thinness ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an important public health problem in South Korea. MDR-TB is difficult to control, and treatment is less effective than for drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The aim of this report is to determine the risk factors for poor outcomes for MDR-TB. METHODS: We retrospectively and consecutively analyzed the clinical outcomes of MDR-TB patients registered at a single tuberculosis-specialized hospital in South Korea from January 2005 to February 2011. We used standard treatment outcome definitions for MDR-TB and used the combination of “defaulted”, “treatment failed”, and “died” as a composite poor outcome variable. We analyzed the risk factors associated with poor outcome. RESULTS: Among the 258 patients sampled, 91 (35.3%) had MDR-TB on their first tuberculosis infection, while 167 patients (64.7%) who had previously been treated for tuberculosis had MDR-TB over the study period. Treatment outcomes revealed that 207 patients (80.2%) were cured of their infection, 15 (5.8%) completed their treatment, one (0.4%) defaulted treatment, 6 (2.3%) died, and treatment failed for 29 patients (11.3%). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis found that poor outcome were associated with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-5.15, p = 0.008), being susceptible to four or fewer drugs at the start of treatment (HR: 3.89; 95% CI: 1.38-10.96, p = 0.01), and ofloxacin resistance (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.06-5.81, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight, susceptibility to four or fewer drugs, and ofloxacin resistance are independent prognostic factors of poor outcome for MDR-TB patients.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Korea* ; Ofloxacin ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Thinness ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the chief complaint addressing seizure in 119 run-sheets and to estimate the frequency of recommended administration of prehospital anti-convulsants. METHODS: A retrospective medical review of the period from 1 January, 2007 to 1 December, 2012 at one university hospital was conducted. Patients who were transported by 119 ambulance and whose chief complaint addressing seizure were enrolled. Medical records were independently reviewed by two emergency physicians. The reliability was analyzed according to the level of prehospital providers. prehospital providers. The operational definition of prehospital status epilepticus was cases with prolonged (lasting five minutes or more) or repetitive generalized convulsive seizures and seizure witnessed by 119 providers or persistent seizure at the time of arrival at the hospital. RESULTS: Among 239 medical records, 188(78.7%) cases with seizure were identified. The reliability was increased when level I emergency medical technicians were staffed(90.6% vs 74.3%). Psychiatric disorders(4.6%) and hyperventilation syndrome(3.8%) were frequently confused with seizure. Prehospital anti-convulsants were recommended in 15 cases(6.3%). CONCLUSION: Chief complaints addressing seizure by 119 prehospital providers were reliable. Not only rarity of prehospital status epilepticus but also other medical and legal barriers should be considered in regard to the possibility of prehospital anti-convulsant administration.
Ambulances ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Status Epilepticus

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the chief complaint addressing seizure in 119 run-sheets and to estimate the frequency of recommended administration of prehospital anti-convulsants. METHODS: A retrospective medical review of the period from 1 January, 2007 to 1 December, 2012 at one university hospital was conducted. Patients who were transported by 119 ambulance and whose chief complaint addressing seizure were enrolled. Medical records were independently reviewed by two emergency physicians. The reliability was analyzed according to the level of prehospital providers. prehospital providers. The operational definition of prehospital status epilepticus was cases with prolonged (lasting five minutes or more) or repetitive generalized convulsive seizures and seizure witnessed by 119 providers or persistent seizure at the time of arrival at the hospital. RESULTS: Among 239 medical records, 188(78.7%) cases with seizure were identified. The reliability was increased when level I emergency medical technicians were staffed(90.6% vs 74.3%). Psychiatric disorders(4.6%) and hyperventilation syndrome(3.8%) were frequently confused with seizure. Prehospital anti-convulsants were recommended in 15 cases(6.3%). CONCLUSION: Chief complaints addressing seizure by 119 prehospital providers were reliable. Not only rarity of prehospital status epilepticus but also other medical and legal barriers should be considered in regard to the possibility of prehospital anti-convulsant administration.
Ambulances ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Status Epilepticus

Yerba Mate, derived from the leaves of the tree, Ilex paraguariensis, is widely-used as a tea or as an ingredient in formulated foods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Yerba Mate extract on weight loss, obesity-related biochemical parameters, and diabetes in high-fat diet-fed mice. To this end, by using in vivo animal models of dietary-induced obesity, we have made the interesting observations that Yerba Mate has the ability to decrease the differentiation of pre-adipocytes and to reduce the accumulation of lipids in adipocytes, both of which contribute to a lower growth rate of adipose tissue, lower body weight gain, and obesity. Our data from in vivo studies revealed that Yerba Mate treatment affects food intake, resulting in higher energy expenditure, likely as a result of higher basal metabolism in Yerba Mate-treated mice. Furthermore, in vivo effects of Yerba Mate on lipid metabolism included reductions in serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and glucose concentrations in mice that were fed a high fat diet. In conclusion, Yerba Mate can potentially be used to treat obesity and diabetes.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Basal Metabolism ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Eating ; Energy Metabolism ; Food, Formulated ; Glucose ; Ilex paraguariensis ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Obesity ; Tea ; Trees ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men worldwide. ED is now considered an early manifestation of atherosclerosis, and consequently, a precursor of systemic vascular disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of male silkworm pupa powder (SWP) on the levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, nitrite, and glutathione (GSH); lipid peroxidation; libido; and erectile response of the corpus cavernosum of the rat penis. We induced ED in the study animals by oral administration of 20% ethanol over 8 weeks. The SWP-treated male rats were divided into 3 groups that were orally administered 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. The libido of the SWP-administered male rats was higher than that of the ethanol control group. In addition, the erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored in males on SWP administration, to a level similar to that of the normal group without ED. The testosterone concentration did not increase significantly. The lipid peroxidation in the corpus cavernosum of the male rats administered SWP decreased significantly. In contrast, compared to the ethanol group, SWP-administered male rats showed increased GSH levels in the corpus cavernosum. The level of nitrite and NOS expression in the corpus cavernosum of SWP-administered male rats increased significantly. These results indicated that SWP effectively restored ethanol-induced ED in male rats.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Bombyx ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Ethanol ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Libido ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Penis ; Pupa ; Rats ; Testosterone ; Vascular Diseases