This case report compared the effectiveness of resin infiltration technique (Icon, DMG) with microabrasion (Opalustre, Ultradent Products, Inc.) in management of white spot lesions. It demonstrates that although neither microabrasion nor resin infiltration technique can remove white spot lesions completely, resin infiltration technique seems to be more effective than microabrasion. Therefore resin infiltration technique can be chosen preferentially for management of white spot lesions and caution should be taken for case selection.
Dental Caries ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans

This review provides an overview of the literature on aspects of reproductive endocrinology wherein Asian men may differ from Caucasian, notably, prostatic neoplasm and the sensivity to pharmacological regimens of male contraception. Both genetic and environmental factors, such as nutrition, might be relevant. Asian men residing in Asia seem to be relatively protected from clinical prostatic neoplasm while the prevalence of preclinical prostatic neoplasm is not different. Migration to an area with a higher prevalence reduces this difference but does not undo it. With regard to prostatic neoplasm the following factors have been considered as relevant in Asian men: 1) a reduction in 5 alpha-reductase level, 2) decreased levels of androgenic ketosteroid precursors of 5 alpha-reduced androgen metabolites, 3) the decreased presence of a P53 mutation, 4) a higher CAG-repeat length of the androgen receptor, 5) a possible higher level of physical activity, 6) differences in sexual activity. Furthermore, Asian men respond to a higher degree with azoospermia in response to contraceptive steroids. Possible explanations offered for the more pronounced response to contraceptive steroids are: 1) differences in testicular structure and decreased spermatogenic potential, 2) an earlier and more marked suppression in LH secretion by exogenous androgens. The differences may be due to genetical and/or environmental factors influencing the peripheral testosterone metabolism. Dietary factors such as the higher intake of phytoestrogens in Asians might exert effects on 5 alpha-reductase activity and/or on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels, thus having an impact on the biological efficacy of circulating androgens.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Environment ; Ethnic Groups ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Male ; Reproduction ; genetics ; physiology

This study was conducted out to select a silkworm variety suitable for synnemata production of Isaria tenuipes. Four kinds of the mulberry silkworm varieties, Bombyx mori, were hybridized using a Japanese parental line and a Chinese parental line, and used to test for synemata formation in I. tenuipes. The larval period of normal silkworms was 22 hr longer than the silkworms inoculated with this fungus. Among the silkworm varieties tested, Hachojam had the shortest larval period with 23.02 days. The non-cocooning silkworm had a shorter larval period than the cocoon producing silkworms. The pupation rate of normal silkworms was about 9% higher than that of silkworms sprayed with I. tenuipes. Hachojam had the highest infection rate at 99.8%, but no significant difference was observed for the infection rate by silkworm variety. The production of synnemata was the best in JS171 x CS188 with an incidence rate of 99.3%, followed by Hachojam, and Chugangjam. The synnemata produced from Hachojam were the heaviest and showed white or milky-white in color.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bombyx ; Breeding ; Chimera ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Morus ; Parents

To investigate the distribution of variant genotypes of Fc gamma receptor IIIa (Fc gamma R IIIa) in healthy Chinese population of Zhengzhou city, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of healthy donators. The genotypes of Fc gamma R IIIa-158 were determined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 137 healthy people in Zhengzhou city. The results showed that frequencies of variant genotypes FF, VV and VF were 42.3%, 48.9% and 8.8% respectively. The distribution of Fc gamma R IIIa-158 in healthy Chinese population of Zhengzhou city was polymorphic and different from that of African Americans (AA) and Caucasian Americans (CA).
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, IgG ; genetics

INTRODUCTIONThe analysis of amino acids in plasma and urine was introduced in Singapore when a laboratory for the investigation of inherited metabolic disorders was established by the Ministry of Health. Reference ranges are required for interpreting test results and making diagnoses. Initially, reference ranges established for Caucasians were used as there were no local data and we were unable to find data obtained by the same analytical method for Asian populations. This was not considered an ideal and long-term solution, as Singaporeans may have amino acid concentrations quite different from those of Caucasians due to genetic factors, dietary difference, environment, and other influences. This study was therefore undertaken when a number of healthy laboratory personnel volunteered to provide specimens for the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODSSixty healthy male and female laboratory workers not on any form of medication were recruited. They consisted of 24 males (range, 23 to 58 years) and 36 females (range, 20 to 60 years), with a mean age of 38.7 years. Non-fasting random blood and urine specimens were collected on ice. Removal of protein and peptides from heparinised plasma and urine was achieved by ultrafiltration through protein-exclusion membrane. Amino acid analysis on the ultrafiltrate was performed by a dedicated Beckman 6300 Amino Acid Analyzer using a cation exchange resin column and post-column colour reaction with ninhydrin reagent. Urine creatinine was measured by a Beckman LX 20 PRO Analyzer. Results for urine amino acids were expressed as micromol/mmol of creatinine.

RESULTSReference ranges for 32 amino acids in blood plasma and 36 amino acids in urine were calculated by a non-parametric method using the SPSS statistical calculation software. The ranges cover 95% of the population and the low and high limits of each reference range represent the 2.5th percentile and 97.5th percentile of the frequency distribution respectively.

CONCLUSIONSWe observed differences in the reference ranges of several plasma and urine amino acids between Singaporean and Caucasian populations. Moreover, the list of urine amino acids for Caucasian population is incomplete. We have therefore discontinued the use of reference values established for Caucasians and adopted the results of this study for our patient diagnostic work.

Adult ; Amino Acids ; analysis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Singapore

To investigate the distribution of variant genotypes of Fc gamma receptor IIIa (Fc gamma R IIIa) in healthy Chinese population of Zhengzhou city, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of healthy donators. The genotypes of Fc gamma R IIIa-158 were determined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 137 healthy people in Zhengzhou city. The results showed that frequencies of variant genotypes FF, VV and VF were 42.3%, 48.9% and 8.8% respectively. The distribution of Fc gamma R IIIa-158 in healthy Chinese population of Zhengzhou city was polymorphic and different from that of African Americans (AA) and Caucasian Americans (CA).
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Genotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, IgG/*genetics ; Variation (Genetics)

Incidence was derived from published data from 2 population-based registries-the Philippine Cancer Society-Manila Cancer Registry and Department of Health-Rizal Cancer Registry, which covered 8.5 million residents (1990 census) of a 1,674 square kilometer area that comprises Metro Manila and Rizal province. Thirteen registry clerks actively sought new cancer cases in 96 hospitals and 30 Covil Registry offices. Both registries are members of the International Association of Cancer Registries and receive continuing professional assistance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). For the period of 1988-1992 the combined age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were: 6.8 for male nasopharynx cancer (NPC) (ranked sixth) and 3.2 among females (ranked thirteenth). NPC for both sexes were highest among Asian populations. Within the region, Philippine rates were third highest, following the Singapore Chinese and Vietnamese. Age-specific rates in males reached 10 per 100,000 at age-group 40-49 years, and 5 per 100,000 females at age-group 45-49 years, continuing to rise with increasing age. There were some significant differences in ASRs between some cities and municipalities but the differences were more striking among males as female rates were lower. Rates had increased only very slightly in the 13-year period between 1980-1992 but total cases had triples. NPC ASRs among male Filipino migrants to the USA were only half of that observed in Philippine residents, but were still higher than the rates among White residents. A similar decrease was seen among female migrants, and in Los Angeles the rates of Filipinos and non-Hispanic White females were already similar

Human ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Transients And Migrants ; Singapore ; Philippines ; Censuses ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; International Agencies

Incidence was derived from published data from 2 population-based registries-the Philippine Cancer Society-Manila Cancer registry and the Department of Health-Rizal Cancer Registry, which covered 8.5 million residents (1990 census) of a 1,674 square kilometer area that comprises Metro Manila and Rizal province. Thirteen registry clerks actively sought new cancer cases in 96 hospitals and 30 Civil Registry offices. Both registries are members of the International Association of Cancer Registries and receive continuing professional assistance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). For the period of 1988-1992 the combined age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 17.0, prostate cancer ranked third and comprised 6.1 per cent of all male cancers. Prostate cancer rates were lower than those observed among North American and European populations, but within the Asian region, Philippine rates were higher than most Asian populations. Age-specific rates increased considerably at age-group 66-59 years and continued to increase with increasing age. There were significant differences in rates between cities and municipalities, with the rates in some highly urbanized cities double those seen in urbanizing areas, and triple those seen in rural areas. Rates had increased slightly in the 13-year period between 1980-1992 but total cases had triples. Incidence rates among Filipino migrants to Hawaii, San Francisco and Los Angeles were almost 3 times higher than rates seen in Philippines residents, but were still only half of those seen among the white populations.

Human ; Male ; Cities ; Transients And Migrants ; Censuses ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Registries ; Urbanization ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; International Agencies

BACKGROUND: Clinical classification of onychomycosis is commonly divided into 4 clinical types but some authors suggest 5 clinical types. Pathogenic fungi, treatment response and prognosis of onychomycosis are different dependent upon the clinical type. Therefore, suitable clinical classification is necessary before treatment. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of 4 clinical types of onychomycosis: distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO), superficial white onychomycosis (SWO), proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO), total dystrophic onychomycosis (TDO). The secondary aim of this study was to clarify the DLSO, the most common type of the onychomycosis, by dividing it into 4 subtypes. METHODS: The diagnosis of the patients were confirmed by more than 1 positive test among KOH smear, fungus culture, histopathologic test and KONCPA test. Total 817 onychomycotic nails of 589 patients (331 males, 258 females) who visited Department of dermatology, Catholic University, St. Mary hospital between January, 1999 and December, 2006 were included. Clinical photographs and charts of the patients were thoroughly reviewed and divided into 4 clinical types and 4 clinical subtypes in case of DLSO. RESULTS: 1. Out of 817 nails, 623 (76.3%) fell into DLSO and 82 (10.0%) TDO, 65 (7.9%) SWO, 47 (5.8%) PSO, respectively. 2. 623 nails diagnosed to be DLSO were further divided into 4 clinical subtypes: 243 (39.0%) edge types, 211 (33.9%) distal types, 104 (16.7%) linear types and 65 (10.4%) lateral types. 3. 315 males with DLSO were further divided into 4 clinical subtypes: 130 (41.3%) edge types, 96 (30.5%) distal types, 54 (17.1%) linear types and 35 (10.6%) lateral types. Females in the same group also exhibited same ranks in terms of prevalence. 4. Out of 457 big toenails, there were 193 edge types (42.2%), 141 distal types (30.9%), 77 linear types (16.8%) and 46 lateral types (10.1%). Out of 105 other toenails, there were 42 distal types (40.0%), 28 edge types (26.7%), 19 linear types (18.1%) and 16 lateral types (15.2%). CONCLUSION: DLSO composed of 76.3% of onychomycosis were further classified into 4 clinical subtypes. Further clinical studies will be necessary to evaluate the value and efficacy of this subclassification in deciding the treatment methods and presumption of prognosis.
Dermatology ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Nails ; Onychomycosis ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the grading of gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI was performed in 24 patients with histologically confirmed brain gliomas. After placing the regions of interest (ROI) in the tumor center, tumor border, white matter adjacent to tumor, and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of the contralateral hemisphere, the FA values were measured. The size of the ROI was found to be 61 ml. In addition, the FA ratios were calculated for the ROIs in relation to the NAWM of the contralateral hemisphere. RESULTS: The mean FA ratios in patients with grade II gliomas were 0.348 for the tumor center, 0.564 for the tumor border, and 0.897 for the white matter adjacent to the tumor. For patients with grade III gliomas, the mean FA values were 0.247, 0.346, 0.782, respectively. Further, for patients with grade IV gliomas, the mean FA values were 0.204, 0.226, 0.336, respectively. The differences in the FA ratios between the grade II and III tumors were significant in the tumor center and tumor border (p = 0.005, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, the differences in the FA ratios between the grade III and IV tumors were significant in the tumor border and white matter adjacent to the tumor (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: DTI is a non-invasive imaging modality that may provide valuable information for the pre-operative grading of gliomas.
Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Glioma ; Humans