PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of various methods for removing provisional cement from implant abutments, and what effect these methods have on the retention of prosthesis during the definitive cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty implant fixture analogues and abutments were embedded in resin blocks. Forty cast crowns were fabricated and divided into 4 groups each containing 10 implants. Group A was cemented directly with the definitive cement (Cem-Implant). The remainder were cemented with provisional cement (Temp-Bond NE), and classified according to the method for cleaning the abutments. Group B used a plastic curette and wet gauze, Group C used a rubber cup and pumice, and Group D used an airborne particle abrasion technique. The abutments were observed using a stereomicroscope after removing the provisional cement. The tensile bond strength was measured after the definitive cementation. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Group B clearly showed provisional cement remaining, whereas the other groups showed almost no cement. Groups A and B showed a relatively smooth surface. More roughness was observed in Group C, and apparent roughness was noted in Group D. The tensile bond strength tests revealed Group D to have significantly the highest tensile bond strength followed in order by Groups C, A and B. CONCLUSION: A plastic curette and wet gauze alone cannot effectively remove the residual provisional cement on the abutment. The definitive retention increased when the abutments were treated with rubber cup/pumice or airborne particle abraded to remove the provisional cement.
Cementation ; Crowns ; Prostheses and Implants ; Retention (Psychology) ; Rubber ; Silicates

PURPOSE: This paper reports a dosimetric study of 88 patients treated with a combination of external radiotherapy and high dose rate ICR for FIGO stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix. The purpose is to investigate the correlation between the radiation doses to the rectum. external radiation dose to the whole pelvis. ICR reference volume. TDF, BED and the incidence of late rectal complications, retrospectively METHODS AND MATERIALS: From November 1989 through December 1992, 88 patients with stage IIB cervical carcinoma received radical radiotherapy at Department or Radiation Oncology in Yonsei University Hospital. Radiotherapy consisted of 44-54 Gy(median 49 Gy) external beam irradiation plus high dose rate intracavitary brachy therapy with 5 Gy per fraction twice a week to a total dose of 30 Gy on point A. The maximum dose to the rectum by contrast(r,R) and reference rectal dose by ICRU 38(dr, DR) were calculated. The ICR reference volume was calculated by Gamma Dot 3.11 HDR planning system, retrospectively. The time-dose factor(TDF) and the biologically effective dose (BED) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty seven(30.7%) of the 88 patients developed late rectal complications : 12 patients(13.6%) for grade 1, 12 patients(13.6%) for grade 2 and 3 patients(3.4%) for grade 3. We found a significant correlation between the external whole pelvis irradiation dose and grade 2, 3 rectal complicaition. The mean dose to the whole pelvis for the group of patients with grade 2, 3 complication was higher, 4093.3+/-453.1 cGy, than that for the patients without complication 3873.8+/-415.6 (0.05p<0.1). The gradual increase in the frequency of grade 2, 3 rectal compication increased as a function of the dose of external beam therapyto the whole pelvis(midline shielding start dose) and total rectal dose. The mean total rectal dose by rectal barium(R) for the group of patients with grade 2, 3 rectal complication was higher, 7163.0+/-838.5 cGy, than that for the patients without rectal complication, 6772.7+/-884.0(p<0.05). There was no correlation of the rate of grade 2, 3 rectal complication with the ICR rectal doses(r,dr), ICR reference volume, TDF and BED. CONCLUSION: This investigation has revealed a significant correlation between the dose calculated at the rectal dose by ICRU 38(DR) or the most anterior rectal dose by contrast(R), dose to the whole pelvis and the incidence of grade 2,3 late rectal complications in patients with stage IIB cervical cancer undergoing external beam radiotherapy and HDR ICR. Thus there rectal reference points doses and whole pelvis dose appear to be useful prognostic indicators of late rectal complication in high dose rate ICR treatment in cervical carcinoma.
Brachytherapy* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pelvis ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Background/Aims: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a profibrotic factor implicated in pressure overload-mediated myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we determined the role of predicted CTGF-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs) in rat models of aortic stenosis and reverse cardiac remodeling. Methods: Minimally invasive ascending aortic banding was performed in 24 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into three groups. The banding group consisted of eight rats that were sacrificed immediately after 6 weeks of aortic constriction. The debanding group underwent aortic constriction for 4 weeks and was sacrificed 2 weeks after band removal. The third group underwent sham surgery. We investigated the expression of CTGF, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 using ELISA and examined miRNA-26b, miRNA-133a, and miRNA-19b as predicted CTGF-targeting miRNAs based on miRNA databases in 24-hour TGFβ-stimulated and TGFβ- washed fibroblasts and myocardial tissues from all subjects. Results: CTGF was elevated in 24-hour TGFβ-stimulated fibroblasts and decreased in 24-hour TGFβ-washed fibroblasts. miRNA-26b was significantly increased in TGFβ-washed fibroblasts compared with control and TGFβ-stimulated fibroblasts (p < 0.05). CTGF expression was significantly higher in the banding group than that in the sham and debanding groups. The relative expression levels of miRNA-26b were higher in the debanding group than in the banding group. Conclusions The results of our study using models of aortic banding and debanding suggested that miRNA-26b was significantly increased after aortic debanding. The in vitro model yielded the same results: miRNA-26b was upregulated after removal of TGFβ from fibroblasts.

Background/Aims: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a profibrotic factor implicated in pressure overload-mediated myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we determined the role of predicted CTGF-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs) in rat models of aortic stenosis and reverse cardiac remodeling. Methods: Minimally invasive ascending aortic banding was performed in 24 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into three groups. The banding group consisted of eight rats that were sacrificed immediately after 6 weeks of aortic constriction. The debanding group underwent aortic constriction for 4 weeks and was sacrificed 2 weeks after band removal. The third group underwent sham surgery. We investigated the expression of CTGF, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 using ELISA and examined miRNA-26b, miRNA-133a, and miRNA-19b as predicted CTGF-targeting miRNAs based on miRNA databases in 24-hour TGFβ-stimulated and TGFβ- washed fibroblasts and myocardial tissues from all subjects. Results: CTGF was elevated in 24-hour TGFβ-stimulated fibroblasts and decreased in 24-hour TGFβ-washed fibroblasts. miRNA-26b was significantly increased in TGFβ-washed fibroblasts compared with control and TGFβ-stimulated fibroblasts (p < 0.05). CTGF expression was significantly higher in the banding group than that in the sham and debanding groups. The relative expression levels of miRNA-26b were higher in the debanding group than in the banding group. Conclusions The results of our study using models of aortic banding and debanding suggested that miRNA-26b was significantly increased after aortic debanding. The in vitro model yielded the same results: miRNA-26b was upregulated after removal of TGFβ from fibroblasts.

BACKGROUNDS: Katz index of ADL and Barthel index of ADL have been used to evaluate the function of disabled elderly in Korea. But no ADL scale reflecting Korean's own language expression and culture has been developed and verified yet. METHODS: Descriptions of basic activities which needed others' help were collected from 190 Korean disabled elderly. The collected results were categorized into basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and then in each domain such as bathing, shopping, etc. Preliminary instrument items were selected by the judgement of the expert committee, considering the frequency of the responses and the importance of each item. A preliminary questionnaire was developed based on the selected items. The preliminary questionnaire was pretested twice, and corrected by the results. Finally a scholar on Korean literature verified the questionnaire on the grammar and context. RESULTS: A total of 408 basic activities of daily living and 242 instrumental activities of daily living were collected. The activities were categorized into 7 domains of ADL(dressing, washing face and hand, bathing, eating, transfer, toileting, continence) and 10 domains of IADL(decorating, housework, preparing meals, laundry, outgoing for a short distance, using transportation, shopping, handling money, using telephone, taking medicine) CONCLUSIONS: We developed a Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) scale reflecting Korean elderly's own language expression and culture.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Baths ; Eating ; Hand ; Housekeeping ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telephone ; Transportation

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of high dose rate - intracavitary radiotherapy (HDR-ICR) in the radiotherapy of FIGO stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix and to determine the optimum dose combination xheme of external radiotherapy and ICR to achieve acceptable local control without severe complication. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and sixty two patients with FIGO stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix who received definitive radiotherapy between May 1979 and December 1990 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received external radiotherapy combined with HDR-ICR. External dose of 40-46 Gy in 4.5-5 weeks was given to whole pelvis(median 45 Gy) and ICR dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 times was given to the point A. Midline shielding was done after 20-45 Gy of external radiotherapy(median 40 Gy). Summation of external dose plus ICR dose to the point A range were 64.20-95.00 Gy, and mean was 83.94 Gy. We analyzed the local control rate, survival rate, and late complication rate. RESULTS: Initial complete response rate was 99.4% for all patients. Overall 5-year survival rate was 91.1% and 5-year disease free survival rate was 90.9%. Local failure rate was 4.9% and distant failure rate was 4.3% Tumor size was the only significant prognostic factor. When tumor size greater than 3cm, 5-year survival rate was 92.6% and less than 3cm, that was 79.6%, Late complication rate was 23.5% with 18.5% of rectal complication and 4.9% of bladder complication. Mean rectal dose summation of external midline dose plus ICR rectal point dose was lower in the patients without rectal complication(74.88 Gy) than those with rectal complication (78.87 Gy). Complication rate was inceased with low rate of improvement of survival rate when summation of external midline dose plus point A or point R dose by ICR was greater than 70-75 Gy. CONCLUSION: The definitive radiation therapy using high dose rate ICR in FIGO stage IB uterine cervical cancer is effective treatment modality with good local control and survival rate without severe complication.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: It is known that air borne particulates are closely related with the respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in patients with respiratory diseases. In Korea, concentrations of airborne dust and inhalable particulates are dramatically increased by the Yellow sand phenomenon, especially in springtime. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Yellow sand-related airborne dust on the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of patients with bronchial asthma. METHOD: 21 non-smoking, tree pollen non-sensitized subjects with bronchial asthma in Seoul were included in this study. For each subject, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were recorded by self-administered standardized questionnaire and by monitoring PEF between April and May 2000. Symptom score and diurnal variability of PEF were compared with the levels of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) checked in that time at 25 points in Seoul. RESULTS: 15 (71.4%) of the enrolled subjects successfully finished this study. There was no statistically significant relationship between the increment of Yellow sand-related PM10 and respiratory symptom or PEF variability. Of the 15 subjects, there were increased symptoms for the eye in 2 (13.3%) subjects, nose in 3 (20.0%), and sinus in 1 (6.7%), which were associated with Yellow sand-related increase of airborne dust levels. 5 (33.3%) subjects showed changes of PEF variability proportional to the change of PM10. CONCLUSION: Meteorological phenomenon related with Yellow sand has a potential risk of aggravating the upper respiratory tract symptoms and of deteriorating pulmonary functions in patients with asthma.
Asthma* ; Dust ; Humans ; Korea ; Nose ; Particulate Matter ; Pollen ; Respiratory System ; Seoul ; Silicon Dioxide* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The use of intravenous contrast media (CM) has increased for the diagnosis of several diseases. The newly developed low osmolar nonionic contrast agents cause significantly decreased adverse reactions than the higher osmolar ones. However, adverse reactions may still occur, ranging in severity from minor side effects to severe complications. However, there have been few reports about cutaneous adverse reactions (CARs) to nonionic monomer CM. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical features of CAR to intravenous nonionic monomer CM. METHODS: A total 47,338 examinees underwent intravenous iodinated contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan using nonionic monomer CM. Among the adverse reactions to the CM, we divided them into cutaneous or noncutaneous and immediate (<1 hr) or late (> or =1 hr) adverse reactions. RESULTS: Adverse reactions were noted in 62 cases out of the total 47,338 cases; 50 cases (80.7%) were categorized CARs. Among them, there were 24 male and 26 female patients. There was no significant difference between the sexes, and CARs occurred in all age groups. The highest occurrence was in the age range of 50~59 years. CARs included urticaria (78%), angioedema (10%), maculopapular rash (8%), erythema (2%), and pruritus without rash (2%). Immediate reactions were 92% (46 cases), while late reactions were 8% (4 cases). CONCLUSION: CARs to nonionic monomer CM accounted for most of the adverse reactions (80.7%) and urticaria was the most common.
Angioedema ; Contrast Media ; Erythema ; Exanthema ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Pruritus ; Urticaria

Case 1:A 59-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement and Maze operation.Under general anesthesia, a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and superior vena cava (SVC) cannula were inserted.There were no complications during surgery.However, when the surgeons attempted to remove the PAC the next day there was resistance that caused the catheter to break during removal.A chest X ray revealed that the distal portion of the PAC remained in his heart.Therefore, the patient underwent surgery to remove the remnant catheter.Case 2:A 62-year-old man underwent mitral valvuloplasty.A PAC was inserted under general anesthesia.After the procedure, the patient was weaned off his cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).However, his pulmonary artery pressure could not be measured and an abnormal wave was observed. We attempted to re-insert the catheter, but were unsuccesful.An operation was conducted and the catheter was found to be tied at the septum of the right atrium.
Anesthesia, General ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Catheters ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; Pulmonary Artery ; Thorax ; Vena Cava, Superior

Case 1:A 59-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement and Maze operation.Under general anesthesia, a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and superior vena cava (SVC) cannula were inserted.There were no complications during surgery.However, when the surgeons attempted to remove the PAC the next day there was resistance that caused the catheter to break during removal.A chest X ray revealed that the distal portion of the PAC remained in his heart.Therefore, the patient underwent surgery to remove the remnant catheter.Case 2:A 62-year-old man underwent mitral valvuloplasty.A PAC was inserted under general anesthesia.After the procedure, the patient was weaned off his cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).However, his pulmonary artery pressure could not be measured and an abnormal wave was observed. We attempted to re-insert the catheter, but were unsuccesful.An operation was conducted and the catheter was found to be tied at the septum of the right atrium.
Anesthesia, General ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Catheters ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; Pulmonary Artery ; Thorax ; Vena Cava, Superior