BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nicergoline is an ergoline derivative that is used to treat cognitive deficits in cerebrovascular disease and various forms of dementia. Although therapeutic effects of nicergoline have been established, little is known about its effects on cerebral perfusion in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to examine the role of nicergoline in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of AD patients using technetium-99m hexa-methyl-propylene-amine-oxime single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS: Sixteen patients with early AD underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment including cognitive testing and SPECT scans before and after nicergoline treatment. Nicergoline (30 mg twice daily) was administered for an average duration of 1.5 years. Clinical and cognitive functioning was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), CDR-Sum of Boxes, Global Deterioration Scale, Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS: Nicergoline treatment induced changes in the severity of dementia, cognitive function, activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms, which were not statistically significant. During the follow-up, the patients showed significant increases in their relative rCBF in the superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, and postcentral gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: Nicergoline treatment improves perfusion of the frontal and parietal regions in early AD patients. It is possible that the increased perfusion in the superior frontal gyrus may be related to the mechanisms that delay or prevent progressive deterioration of cognitive functions in AD.
Activities of Daily Living ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Dementia ; Depression ; Ergolines ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Nicergoline* ; Parietal Lobe ; Perfusion* ; Pilot Projects* ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Somatosensory Cortex ; Therapeutic Uses ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Prolactinomas are frequent causes of gonadal dysfunction and infertility. Dopamine agonists are the main treatment of prolactinoma and the excellent efficacy of the dopamine agonist is well known. Current challenges related to the treatment of prolactinomas include the relationship of long term use of cabergoline and cardiac valvulopathy, the remission after discontinuation of dopamine agonists, the management of pregnant women with prolactinoma, and the role for surgery on long-term management of prolactioma. Herein, these current issues and questions in the management of prolactinomas, including safety of cabergoline, recurrence after discontinuance of dopamine agonist, pregnancy, and role of surgical resection are addressed.
Dopamine Agonists ; Ergolines ; Female ; Gonads ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Infertility ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prolactinoma ; Recurrence

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is defined as the urge to move one's legs, accompanied by unpleasant sensations in one's limbs, and is typically more severe at night. Sleep hygiene measures should be recommended and all causes of secondary RLS such as iron deficiency and medications (antidepressants, antiemetics, antipsychotics, and antihistamines) should be excluded before pharmacological treatment of RLS is initiated. In view of evidence of their efficacy and tolerability, ropinorole, pramipexole, gabapentin, and oral iron should be considered as first-line treatments for RLS. Ropinirole and pramipexole are the only drugs approved for the treatment of RLS in Korea. Ropinirole is metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 in the liver. On the other hand, pramipexole is metabolized only to a minor degree, and urinary excretion is the major route of elimination; thus, doses of pramipexole should be reduced in patients with impaired renal functioning. Gabapentin, which is known to be effective for pain and sleep disturbances in patients with RLS, is also secreted unmodified by the kidneys. An oral iron supplement is recommended for patients with low normal serum ferritin levels (< or = 75 ng/mL). Levodopa, pergolide, cabergoline, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and IV iron dextran are classified as second-line treatments. Clonazepam, bupropion, and some opioids can also be used in patients with RLS. In conclusion, pharmacological treatment of RLS should be individualized according to the physical status of patients as well as their RLS symptoms, and augmentation should be carefully monitored when dopaminergic agents are used for long periods.
Amines ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Antiemetics ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Benzothiazoles ; Bupropion ; Carbamazepine ; Clonazepam ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; Dextrans ; Dopamine ; Dopamine Agents ; Ergolines ; Extremities ; Ferritins ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Hand ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Indoles ; Iron ; Kidney ; Korea ; Leg ; Levodopa ; Liver ; Pergolide ; Restless Legs Syndrome ; Sensation ; Valproic Acid

PURPOSE: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the fracture resistances and failure modes of endodontically treated mandibular premolars restored with endocrowns and conventional post-core retained crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty mandibular premolars were assigned into three groups (n=10): GI, intact teeth; GE, teeth with endocrowns; GC, teeth with conventional post-core supported crowns. Except for the teeth in group GI, all specimens were cut to 1.5 mm above the cementoenamel junction and endodontically treated. Both endocrowns and conventional crowns were fabricated from lithium-disilicate blocks using a CEREC 3D CAD/CAM unit. All specimens were subjected to thermocycling and then to 45° oblique compressive load until fracture occurred. The fracture resistance and failure mode of each specimen were recorded. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc Test (α=.05). RESULTS: The fracture resistances of GE and GC were significantly lower than that of GI (P<.01), while no significant difference was found between GE and GC (P=.702). As of the failure mode, most of the specimens in GE and GC were unfavorable while a higher occurrence of favorable failure mode was presented in GI. CONCLUSION: For the restoration of mandibular premolar, endocrown shows no advantage in fracture resistance when compared with the conventional method. Both of the two methods cannot rehabilitate endodontically treated teeth with the same fracture resistances that intact mandibular premolars have.
Bicuspid* ; Crowns* ; Glass* ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Methods ; Tooth ; Tooth Cervix

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on bond strength of indirect composite material (Tescera Indirect Composite System) to monolithic zirconia (inCoris TZI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partially stabilized monolithic zirconia blocks were cut into with 2.0 mm thickness. Sintered zirconia specimens were divided into different surface treatment groups: no treatment (control), sandblasting, glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application, and sandblasting + glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application. The indirect composite material was applied to the surface of the monolithic zirconia specimens. Shear bond strength value of each specimen was evaluated after thermocycling. The fractured surface of each specimen was examined with a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope to assess the failure types. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey LSD tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Bond strength was significantly lower in untreated specimens than in sandblasted specimens (P<.05). No difference between the glaze layer and hydrofluoric acid application treated groups were observed. However, bond strength for these groups were significantly higher as compared with the other two groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Combined use of glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application and silanization are reliable for strong and durable bonding between indirect composite material and monolithic zirconia.
Hydrofluoric Acid ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties

This study was conducted to evaluate the industry foodservice management practices and to suggest guidelines for the effective foodservice management. The survey for the analysis was conducted through the questionnaires to dietitians. They were divided into two groups: the site color worker and the blue color worker. The questionnaires were received for a response rate of 73.2%. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SAS programs for descriptive analysis, chi-square test, T-test, F-test, and Fisher's LSD. The results of the study can be summarized as follows: 1) The level of education of dietitians and food cost in the employee feeding operations for the blue color worker was lower than the employee feeding operations for the white color worker. 2) The labor productivity indices were not significantly different according to types of workers. But in the employee feeding operations for the blue color worker, full-time foodservice employees worked more than 10.7 hour per week than their counterpart. This indicates the full-time foodservice employees in the employee feeding operations for the blue color worker performed more loaded work compared to the employee feeding operations for the white color worker. 3) Equipped rate of facilities in the employee feeding operations for the blue color worker was low especially in the food preparation and cooking processes.
Cooking ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Education ; Efficiency ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Nutritionists ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to develop and to validate the Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-98), which is a scale for diagnosing delirium and evaluating its severity. METHOD: After developing the K-DRS-98, 102 patients were rated by it among 4 diagnostic groups, such as delirium (N=25), dementia (N=27), schizophrenia (N=25) and others (N=25). To test for reliability, K-DRS-98 was independently administered by two psychiatrist. To test for validity, Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were administered simultaneously. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS window version 12 package and statistical significance was p<0.05. RESULT: Internal consistencies (Cronbach alpha) of two raters were 0.867 and 0.858, respectively. Inter-rater reliability (kappa) was 0.893 for severity items of K-DRS-98 and kappa value of diagnosis items was 0.969. In Delirium group, Pearson correlation coefficients (gamma) of K-DRS-98 were -0.682 for MMSE-K and 0.667 for CGI. In comparison Delirium group with Others, ANOVA post hoc multiple comparison LSD was statistically significant (p<0.001). The cutoff score to diagnosis of delirium can be recommended 16 for severity items and 21.5 for total score, respectively. CONCLUSION: The K-DRS-98 was showed good reliability and validity for the assessment of delirium. The K-DRS-98 is an easy and useful tool for diagnosing delirium and assessing its severity.
Delirium* ; Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Psychiatry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting fall prevention activities of emergency room (ER) nurses based on their health belief factors (perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived severity, perceived barriers, and cues to action). METHODS: The study design was a descriptive survey using questionnaires which were given to 127 emergency room nurses from two regional emergency medical centers, four local emergency medical centers, and two local emergency medical facilities. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA with LSD test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: ER nurses' fall prevention activities had a mean of 3.78+/-0.50. Eight individual characteristics and health belief factors accounted for 30.8% of the fall prevention activities. Fall prevention activities were found to be positively affected by emergency medical facilities, perceived benefits, and cues to action and negatively affected by factors, such as ER career and perceived severity. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that it is necessary to formulate a plan for enhancing perceived benefits and cues to action to improve fall prevention activities. In addition, fall prevention activities should be encouraged for ER nurses who have worked in local medical institutions for less than 1 year or more than 5 years.
Accident Prevention ; Accidental Falls ; Cues ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Health Behavior ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study assessed the accuracy of linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs taken at different positions in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two acrylic models were fabricated from a cast with normal occlusion. Straight and 75degrees mesially and lingually angulated pins were placed, and standardized panoramic radiographs were taken at standard position, at an 8degrees downward tilt of the occlusal plane compared to the standard position, at an 8degrees upward tilt of the anterior occlusal plane, and at a 10degrees downward tilt of the right and left sides of the model. On the radiographs, the length of the pins above (crown) and below (root) the occlusal plane, total pin length, crown-to-root ratio, and angulation of pins relative to the occlusal plane were calculated. The data were subjected to repeated measures ANOVA and LSD multiple comparisons tests. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted between the radiographic measurements and true values in different positions on both models with linear (P<0.001) and those with angulated pins (P<0.005). No statistically significant differences were observed between the angular measurements and baselines of the natural head posture at different positions for the linear and angulated pins. CONCLUSION: Angular measurements on panoramic radiographs were sufficiently accurate and changes in the position of the occlusal plane equal to or less than 10degrees had no significant effect on them. Some variations could exist in the pin positioning (head positioning), and they were tolerable while taking panoramic radiographs. Linear measurements showed the least errors in the standard position and 8degrees upward tilt of the anterior part of the occlusal plane compared to other positions.
Dental Occlusion ; Dimensional Measurement Accuracy ; Head ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Posture ; Radiography, Panoramic

The purpose of this study was to understand clinical nurses' knowledge and attitudes on pain management. The subject of the study were 254 nurses working at two hospitals affiliated with a university in Seoul. The questionnaires included four areas: general knowledge on pain, knowledge on the use of analgesia, knowledge and implementation on the pain assessment scales and pain interventions and nurses' general characteristics. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, LSD test and t-test using SPSS statistical package. The results were as follows. 1. The mean score of the general pain knowledge was 61.46 and that of knowledge on the use of analgesia was 52.19. 2. Most nurses(74%) answered with hesitation about injecting narcotic analgesia to patients. 3. The pain assessment scale which nurses knew (57.5%) and used(48.0%) extremely was a simple descriptive scale. 4. The pain intervention which nurses knew (94.5%) and implemented(92.1%) extremely was to inject analgesia. 5. The number of nurses who had learned about pain management was 49 of 254(19.3%). 6. Nurses' knowledge on the use of analgesia was of relevance to having learned pain management, but general pain knowledge was not so relevant. According to this research, I suggest the following. 1. It is necessary to develop an education program with actual practice and intervention which nurses can perform for themselves. 2. It is necessary to continuously educate about pain management in clinical wards.
Analgesia ; Education ; Humans ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Pain Management* ; Pain Measurement ; Seoul ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires