Purpose: Cention N (Ivoclar Vivadent) was a recently introduced alkasite-based restorative material that was expected to replace amalgam and glass ionomer cement. This material was an esthetic restoration with adequate mechanical strength and release of fluoride and calcium. The purpose of this study was to measure the water sorption and water solubility of Cention N and evaluate its long-term durability compared to other esthetic restorations (Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer cement [RMGIC], Giomer, Composite Resin). Materials and Methods: Twenty specimens each of Cention N (CN), Resin Modified-Glass Ionomer Cement (FJ), Giomer (BF), and Composite Resin (FZ) were made. After each specimen was completely dried in a desiccator for 24 hours using a vacuum pressure pump, the specimen was weighed (m1). After that, the specimen was immersed in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days, stored in a drying oven, and weighed (m2). After drying completely for 24 hours in a desiccator, the specimen was weighed (m3) to calculate the water absorption and water solubility using Formulas 1 and 2. The measured values were statistically processed and analyzed using SPSS, and the significance level was set at 0.05.Result: When measuring water sorption, FJ (122.61 μg/mm3 ) showed significantly higher water sorption than CN (35.42 μg/mm3 ) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between FZ (18.03 μg/mm3 ) and BF (14.76 μg/mm3 ) (P=0.930). When measuring water solubility, CN (6.65 μg/mm3 ) showed significantly higher water solubility than FJ (1.47 μg/mm3 ) (P<0.05). Conclusion Cention N had lower water sorption than RMGIC, but higher water solubility, indicating that it is more vulnerable to moisture and has lessened long-term durability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional changes, postop delirium and complications after cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty for the femur neck fractures in patients aged around ninety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1995 and April 2002, of the twenty seven patients, 17 who follow-up for at least one year were included in this study. Walking ability, activity of daily living, mental status, chronic illness, postoperative delirium and complications were evaluated retrospectively using Yoon's walking class, ADL scale, MMSE-K score, ASA classification, DSM IV respectively. RESULTS: The walking ability was decreased to 2.4 from 3.3 tendency of reliance in ADL scale was increased to 8.3 from 4.5, MMSE-K score was decreased to 15.9 from 21.7. There was no significant change in status of chronic illness. Postoperative delirium occurred in eight (47%) cases and all of them recovered completely. complications included bladder problem in eleven (66%) cases, temporary respiratory distress in two (12%) cases, hip dislocation in two (12%) cases, infection in one (6%) case. Overall thirteen (78%) cases were able to walk with supports. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that physicians treation femur neck fractures in patients aged around ninety must anticipate worsening of the functional changes more especially in regard to walking level, activity of daily living and mental status, little changes of chronic disease status, complete recovery of postop delirium and high complication rate
Activities of Daily Living ; Chronic Disease ; Classification ; Delirium ; Femoral Neck Fractures* ; Femur Neck* ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemiarthroplasty* ; Hip Dislocation ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Walking

Group A streptococcus (GAS) rarely causes meningoencephalitis in children without risk factors. A previously healthy 8 year-old child presented with lethargy, high fever, and vomiting. The clinical course was unusual including intractable seizures, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and left hemiparesis in spite of the appropriate and timely administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The microbiologic studies revealed that the pathogen was susceptible to penicillin and GAS M18 strains. This case showed the importance of the GAS vaccine in addition to appropriate antibiotics.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Fever ; Humans ; Lethargy ; Meningoencephalitis ; Paresis ; Penicillins ; Risk Factors ; Seizures ; Streptococcus ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: Embryo transfer is a critical step in assisted reproduction. However, the different aspects of the procedure were not fully estimated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of each aspect in the procedure to success of pregnancy. METHODS: Medical records of 525 fresh IVF/ICSI cycles were reviewed retrospectively. All embryo transfers were performed under ultrasonography guidance and after removal of cervical mucus. Assessed primary variables are difficulty of procedure (easy, moderate, and difficult), presence of blood in the catheter, types of catheter (soft or hard) and physician factor, and confounding variables are age of patient, total number of oocytes, number of transferred embryos, the highest grade of embryo, endometrial thickness. Measured outcomes were clinical pregnancy (visible fetal heart beat by ultrasonography) and live-birth rate. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis by logistic regression test were used. RESULTS: Among the variables of embryo transfer procedure, the difficulty of procedure was the only significant factor influencing both clinical pregnancy (OR: 0.402, 95% CI: 0.205-0.789, easy vs. moderately difficult) and live birth rate (OR: 0.380, 95% CI: 0.178-0.841, easy vs. moderately difficult). The difference between moderately difficult and very difficult procedure was not significant. Presence of blood was significant for live-birth rate (OR: 0.512, 95% CI: 0.267-0.980). Types of catheter and physician factor were not significant factors. CONCLUSION: The difficulty of the transfer procedure and presence of blood in catheter are significant factors influencing ART outcome.
Catheters ; Cervix Mucus ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Fetal Heart ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Reproduction ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-G IT) has been used for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis (TB) since 2007. However, there has not been enough data on QFT-G IT for universal use in children. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of the QFT-G IT in pediatric practice. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 70 patients younger than 18 years of age who had taken QFT-G IT and had a tuberculin skin test (TST) between July 2007 and July 2009 at Wonju Christian Hospital. The subjects were divided into two groups, asymptomatic TB exposure group and disease group. Four patients who were taking immunosuppressants during the study period were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 66 immunocompetent children were included in this study. Among 27 asymptomatic children who had contact histories of TB, 6 (22.2%) were found to be positive by QFT-G IT. Eleven (40.7%) and 5 (18.5%) children were found to be positive by TST with cutoff values of > or =5 mm and > or =10 mm, respectively. Agreement was fair to good between QFT-G IT and TST (kappa=0.59: cutoff value > or =5 mm, kappa=0.7: cutoff value > or =10 mm). In disease group, 14 patients (35.9%) were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, 8/14 (57.1%) were positive on TST and 9/14 (64.3%) on QFT-G IT. The positive rate of acid-fast bacilli smear, TB-polymerase chain reaction, and culture for tuberculosis was 11% (1/9), 27.3% (3/11) and 33.3% (3/9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data support that the QFT-G IT can be used as an additional diagnostic tool for latent and active tuberculosis infection in children.
Child ; Collodion ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Interferon-gamma ; Interferon-gamma Release Tests ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Tests ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis