OBJECTIVES: Some antioxidants are believed to restore dentin bond strength after dental bleaching. This study was done to evaluate the influence of antioxidants on the bond strength of bleached bovine dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty incisors were randomly assigned to 10 groups (two unbleached control and eight bleached groups: immediate bonding IB, 4 wk delayed bonding DB, 10% sodium ascorbate treated SA, 10% alpha-tocopherol treated TP groups). Teeth in half of groups were subjected to thermal stress, whereas the remaining groups were not. Resin-dentin rods with a cross-sectional area of 2.25 mm2 were obtained and microtensile bond strength was determined at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Fifteen specimens were prepared for SEM to compare the surface characteristics of each group. The change in dentin bond strength from thermal stress and antioxidant treatment was evaluated using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Sheffe's post hoc test at a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: The control group exhibited the highest bond strength values, whereas IB group showed the lowest value before and after thermocycling. The DB group recovered its bond strength similar to that of the control group. The SA and TP groups exhibited similar bond strength values with those of the control and DB groups before thermocycling. However, The TP group did not maintain bond strength with thermal stress, whereas the SA group did. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a 10% sodium ascorbate solution rather than 10% alpha-tocopherol solution for 60 sec is recommended to maintain dentin bond strength when restoring non-vitally bleached teeth.
alpha-Tocopherol ; Antioxidants* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Dentin* ; Incisor ; Tooth ; Tooth Bleaching

In this study, we isolated scopoletin from Cirsium setidens Nakai (Compositae) and tested its effects on melanogenesis. Scopoletin was not toxic to cells at concentrations less than 50 microM and increased melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. As melanin synthesis increased, scopoletin stimulated the total tyrosinase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis. In a cell-free system, however, scopoletin did not increase tyrosinase activity, indicating that scopoletin is not a direct activator of tyrosinase. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that scopoletin stimulated the production of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression via cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these results, preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the use of scopoletin for the treatment of vitiligo.
Blotting, Western ; Cell-Free System ; Cirsium* ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Melanins* ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Phosphorylation* ; Scopoletin* ; Vitiligo

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance is higher in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) than in patients who did not undergo RRT. We investigated the presence of KP (Klebsiella pneumoniae) in patients who underwent RRT. All data were collected retrospectively by accessing patient medical records from 2004 to 2011 for the culture results of all patients who were positive for KP. We grouped the patients by the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) into a KP ESBL(-) group (KP[-]) and a KP ESBL(+) group (KP[+]). In total, 292 patients (23.1%) were in the KP(+) group, and 974 patients (76.9%) were in the KP(-) group. A greater percentage of KP(+) was found in patients who underwent RRT (7.5%) than in patients who did not undergo RRT (3.2%) (OR, 2.479; 95% CI,1.412-4.352). A Cox's hazard proportional model analysis was performed, and for patients with pneumonia, the risk of KP(+) was 0.663 times higher in patients who had lower albumin levels, 2.796 times higher in patients who had an inserted Levin tube, and 4.551 times higher in patients who underwent RRT. In conclusion, RRT can be a risk factor for KP(+) in patients with pneumonia.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*microbiology/therapy ; Klebsiella Infections/*epidemiology/microbiology/mortality ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/*enzymology/isolation & purification ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Pneumonia/diagnosis/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Prevalence ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin/analysis ; beta-Lactamases/*metabolism

This study investigated effect of extract containing quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside from Rumex Aquaticus Herba (ECQ) against chronic gastritis in rats. To produce chronic gastritis, the animals received a daily intra-gastric administration of 0.1 ml of 0.15% iodoacetamide (IA) solution for 7 days. Daily exposure of the gastric mucosa to IA induced both gastric lesions and significant reductions of body weight and food and water intake. These reductions recovered with treatment with ECQ for 7 days. ECQ significantly inhibited the elevation of the malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity, which were used as indices of lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration. ECQ recovered the level of glutathione, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of SOD-2. The increased levels of total NO concentration and iNOS expression in the IA-induced chronic gastritis were significantly reduced by treatment with ECQ. These results suggest that the ECQ has a therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis in rats by inhibitory actions on neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation and various steps of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Drinking ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis* ; Glutathione ; Iodoacetamide* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Malondialdehyde ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Peroxidase ; Quercetin* ; Rats* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Rumex ; Superoxide Dismutase

It has been shown that QGC isolated and purified from Rumecis folium found protective effects of gastritis and esophagitis which EXT is an ethanol extract of it. We examined acute toxicity and the general pharmacological action of QGC EXT to search for any side effects of it in rats, mice, guinea pigs, and cats. In a single dose toxicity study, QGC EXT didn't show toxicological effects in rats and mice, and the LD50 was over 5 g/kg in both animals, and there were also no changes in weight, feed and water intake during these toxicological experimental periods. We examined the general pharmacological action on central controlled behavior responses, and peripheral organs including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and gastrointestinal system, We found that there were no significant changes in body temperature, locomotors activity, stereotyped behaviors, sleeping time, and convulsion. In other studies, writhing reaction, normal body temperature, there did not appear to be any changes. The large intestine movement and electrical field stimulation-induced contraction was not changes by its EXT. In addition, the influences on blood pressure, heart rates, and respiration by QGC EXT were not found. These results indicate that QGC EXT may be very safe as a new drug, since its LD50 was very high over 5 g/kg and any side effects were not found.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Cats ; Contracts ; Drinking ; Esophagitis ; Ethanol ; Gastritis ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Rate ; Intestine, Large ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice ; Rats ; Respiration ; Seizures ; Stereotyped Behavior

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma (ACG). METHODS: This retrospective study compared the refractive outcomes of 63 eyes with primary ACG with the results of 93 eyes with normal open angles undergoing uneventful cataract surgery. Anterior segment biometry including anterior chamber depth, axial length, and anterior chamber depth to axial length ratio were compared by the IOL Master. Third generation formulas (Hoffer Q and SRK/T) and a fourth generation formula (Haigis) were used to predict IOL powers in both groups. The predictive accuracy of the formulas was analyzed by comparison of the mean error and the mean absolute error (MAE). RESULTS: In ACG patients, anterior chamber depth and the anterior chamber depth to axial length ratio were smaller than normal controls (all p < 0.05). The MAEs from the ACG group were larger than that from the control group in the Haigis formula. The mean absolute error from the Haigis formula was the largest and the mean absolute error from the Hoffer Q formula was the smallest. CONCLUSIONS: IOL power prediction may be inaccurate in ACG patients. The Haigis formula produced more inaccurate results in ACG patients, and it is more appropriate to use the Hoffer Q formula to predict IOL powers in eyes with primary ACG.
Aged ; Biometry ; Cataract Extraction ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure/*complications ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/complications ; Humans ; *Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; *Lenses, Intraocular ; Middle Aged ; *Optics and Photonics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies

Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec(TM)) is an oral anticancer drug. It works as a selective and competitive inhibitor of tyrosine kinases such as bcr-abl protein, c-kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR). Gleevec(TM) is a first-line therapeutic agent for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, but causes various adverse cutaneous reactions. We herein report on a case of lichenoid drug eruption induced by Gleevec(TM) in a patient with a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
Benzamides ; Drug Eruptions ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Mesylates ; Phosphotransferases ; Piperazines ; Pyrimidines ; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Tyrosine ; Imatinib Mesylate

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of an endothelial cell derivation and it accounts for less than 2% of all sarcomas. It is a highly aggressive neoplasm with a poor prognosis and most patients die within a short period after presentation. Although angiosarcoma may occur in any location on the body, it rarely arises from major vessels, but has a decided predilection for the skin and superficial soft tissue. A 39-year-old man was referred to our department with an asymptomatic, firm, ulcerative nodule on his scalp that was noticed almost 2 months previously. He had been diagnosed with lung angiosarcoma 9 month earlier. Histopathologically, the skin specimen showed angiosarcoma. The histological findings of the metastatic skin cancer are usually the same as that of the primary cancer. Metastatic cutaneous angiosarcoma is uncommon. Based on these clinical and histopathological findings, our case seems to be skin metastasis at the scalp from the lung angiosarcoma.
Adult ; Endothelial Cells ; Hemangiosarcoma ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Sarcoma ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Ulcer

Carcinoid tumors are derived from enterochromaffin cells that are capable of producing a wide range of neuroendocrine mediators including serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine. Carcinoid syndrome occurs when mediators produced by the tumor and normally metabolized by the liver escape into the systemic circulation. The syndrome classically involves the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, cardiovascular system and the skin. Flushing is almost universal in the syndrome. A 23-year-old woman came to our hospital presenting with flushing on face and trunk. The patient had experienced flushing for 2 years and it was aggravated by emotional change, stress, exercise, and eating spicy food. The patient also had abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and hepatomegaly. Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was elevated (81.5 mg/day). Abdominal computed tomography scans showed multiple hepatic masses diagnosed as a carcinoid tumor by computed tomography-guided needle biopsy. Physicians should consider carcinoid syndrome when patients present with flushing and systemic symptoms.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Cardiovascular System ; Collodion ; Diarrhea ; Eating ; Enterochromaffin Cells ; Female ; Flushing ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Liver ; Porphyrins ; Respiratory System ; Serotonin ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; United Nations ; Weight Loss ; Young Adult

Trichuris trichiura, commonly referred to as a whipworm, has a worldwide distribution, particularly among countries with warm, humid climates. In Korea, trichuriasis was a highly prevalent soil-transmitted helminthiasis until the 1970s. However, the nationwide prevalence decreased to 0.02% in 2004 as a result of national control activities and improvement in the socioeconomic status of Koreans. Most infected individuals have no distinct symptoms, if lightly infected. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by detection of T. trichiura eggs on examination of a stool sample; few reports have described detection of the parasite during colonoscopy. Recently, we managed 4 patients with trichuriasis who were diagnosed by detection of the parasite on colonoscopy, and we reviewed the literature on the colonoscopic diagnosis of T. trichiura in Korea. We suggest that colonoscopy might be a useful diagnostic tool, especially when infected by only a few male worms with no eggs in the stool.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trichuriasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Trichuris/*cytology