Postherpetic neuralgia(PHN) can be extremely debilitating condition. Treatment protocols for PHX may vary from center to center, such as conservative and intensive supportive therapeutic regimens, for example, oral medication, cutaneous nerve stimulating therapy, even acupuncture and hypnotherapy have been stressec In spite of all these measures, some 15% of PHN suffers gain little or no ra lief. Anecdotal reports have suggested that low level laser therapy(LLLT) is effective in the relief of various types of neuralgia. Rased on these, we were interested to apply LLLT for crucial condition of PHN. This is a prelirninary clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in the treatment of the pain for well established and unrelieved PHN. In order to get more accurate result, subjective and objective criteria. were applied. The cases who showed the effectiveness in criteria of Excellent were 6/20(30 %) the cases who showed the effectiveness in criteria of Good were 3/20(15%), and the cases who showed the effectiveness in criteria of Fair were 3/20(15%). So the total cases who showed onset of the effectiveness of LLLT were 12 out of 20 cases(60%).
Acupuncture ; Clinical Protocols ; Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy* ; Neuralgia ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic*

No abstract available.
Hemoptysis*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the work loss caused by oral diseases of workers and their subjective self-perceived oral health status. The study focused on the relationship between work loss due to oral diseases and self-perceived oral health status. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The sample consisted of 550 workers who resided in Ansan City and Gwacheon City. The data were collected from a self-reported questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The percentage of workers that were absent from the workplace due to oral diseases in the past year was 4.8%, and the average of days of absence from the workplace per worker was 0.1 day. Most of the workers (41.1%) answered “average” for the self-perceived oral health status. However, there were more workers that answered “not healthy” than workers that answered “healthy” for the self-perceived oral health status. The percentage of workers that felt the need for dental treatment because of the presence of oral diseases was 59.5%. There was a statistically significant relationship between the work loss due to oral diseases and the subjective self-perceived oral health status. CONCLUSIONS: Work loss due to oral diseases and subjective self-perceived oral health status should be periodically assessed for use as basic data for the development of oral health-promotion policies for workers.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Gyeonggi-do ; Oral Health*

Thiopental sodium, a water-soluble barbiturate derivative with pH 10.0, reaches brain tissue in its highest concentration in about 50 seconds after intravenous injection. Blood concentration then decreases according to redistribution. Patients who are given midazolam as an induction agent are known to awake from general anesthesia relatively more slowly than those given pentothal sodium. Fentanyl, a potent analgesic, has been used in balanced anesthesia because of its minimal cardiovascular effects. In the present study, the effects of pentothal sodium, midazolam and midazolam-fentanyl on cardiovascular changes to endotracheal intubation during anesthetic induction were compared. Sixty patients of ASA class I or II scheduled to undergo elective operations were classified randomly into 3 groups. Group I and II were injected with thiopental sodium 5.0 mg/kg and midazolam 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. Group III received midazolam 0.1 mg/kg and fentanyl 2 ug/kg. The results were as follows ; 1) The onset time (time from intravenous injection to loss of eyelid reflex) of group III (137+/-10.29 seconds, p<0.05) was longer than those of group I (10+/-3.22 seconds) and group II (37+/-12.49 seconds). 2) The change of the mean arterial pressure : Group III showed minimal change (4% decrease, p<0.05) at 1 minute after endotracheal intubation as compared with group I (21% increase) and group II (6% increase). 3) The change of the heart rate ; Group III showed the least change (6% increase, p<0.05) at 1 minute after endotracheal intubation as compared with group I (18% increase) and group II (12% increase). From these results, it is suggested that the combined use of midazolam and fentanyl may cause less effect on the cardiovascular system during endotracheal intubation than midazolam or thiopental sodium alone.
Anesthesia, General ; Arterial Pressure ; Balanced Anesthesia ; Brain ; Cardiovascular System ; Eyelids ; Fentanyl ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Midazolam ; Sodium ; Thiopental

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between restricted activity due to oral diseases and oral health behaviors among adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. The subjects were 238 middle school students and 231 high school students; a total of 469 students from 15 different schools located in 7 regions of Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, and others. The adolescents who participated in the survey were chosen by convenience sampling. The association between restricted activities due to oral diseases and oral health behaviors was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The annual experience rate of oral diseases stood at 1.4 percent, while the number of days absent and early departures from school was 0.15 days per student. The rate of middle school students who were disturbed by oral disease with respect to sleep, eating, speaking, and/or schoolwork was 33.1 percent. In high school students, it was 40.6 percent. Dental pain and gingival bleeding were identified as major factors to the restriction of activities, and being disturbed while eating was related to cariogenic beverages. CONCLUSIONS: It would be of great social interest to support and promote oral health programs among adolescents. Therefore, a national survey of the status of activity restrictions due to oral diseases in adolescents should be implemented in order to make specific future plans.
Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Oral Health

Growth factors play multiple and critical roles in wound repair processes. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent growth factor that is particularly important in the early inflammatory phase of wound healing. In order to extend the half-life of PDGF, polymeric encapsulation is used. In the current study, Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres containing recombinant human (rh) PDGF-BB were prepared to prolong the effectiveness of this growth factor. PLGA microspheres were optimized using a modified w/o/w-double-emulsion/solvent evaporation method by changing the processing conditions of stirring speed and emulsifier (polyvinyl alcohol) concentration. Microspheres prepared using the optimized method released rhPDGF-BB for up to three weeks. An in vitro migration assay showed a significant decrease in the wound area in cells treated with rhPDGF-BB microspheres compared to control cells. These findings demonstrate the potential of rhPDGF-BB encapsulated in microspheres to enhance wound healing.
Half-Life ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Methods ; Microspheres* ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Polymers ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

In this study, we attempt to investigate the mechanisms by which PDL cells regulate osteoclast formation and also to know whether PDL retained their characteristic phenotype during tooth eruption and interdental separation. Rats were prepared at developmental days 21 (pre-root formation), 27 (root development), 34 (advanced root formation/ eruption) and at later times(adult rats). To induce severe resorption state of alveolar bone and tooth root, interdental separation with brass wire was performed between the lower first and second molars for 2 weeks in adult rats. Rat mandibles were demineralized and embedded in paraffin, and horizontal and frontal section were prepared for immunohistochemical analysis using PDL-specific protein 22 (PDLs22), receptor activator of NFKB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) antibodies. 1. Root formation and eruption stage of tooth development. 1) PDLs22 immunolocalization was observed in tooth follicle/PDL cells and osteoblasts throught out the root formation and eruption stages of tooth development. 2) RANKL expression became stronger at eruption stage than root formation stage of tooth development. 3) Strong expression of OPG was detected in follice/PDL cells of root formation stage but it was decreased with tooth eruption. 2. Interdental separation between lower first and second molar. 1) Comparared to normal animal, multinucleated osteoclasts and odontoclasts were markedly induced in the alveolar bone and tooth root with PDL remodeling in hematoxylin-eosin section. 2) PDLs22 expression was decreased with interdental separation. 3) RANKL expression was increased with interdental separation in PDL fibroblasts, osteoblasts, odontoclasts and it lacunae, resorbing dentin, cementum and bone matrix. 4) OPG expression was slightly decreased in the PDL cells adjacent to the alveolar bone and root surface with interdental separation. These results suggested that during tooth eruption and tooth movement, RANKL and OPG in the periodontal tissues are important determinants regulating balanced alveolar bone and tooth root resorption. And it is also suggested that PDL cells retained their characteristic phenotype during tooth eruption and interdental separation except for the short period of PDL remodeling.
Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Bone Matrix ; Dental Cementum ; Dentin ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Mandible ; Molar ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; Paraffin ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Phenotype ; Rats* ; Tooth Eruption* ; Tooth Movement ; Tooth Root ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the busyness of dentists and analyzed factors related to busyness in these professionals. METHODS: The subjects were 243 practicing dentists. Surveys were carried out via mail. Busyness was measured by using the Mumma scale. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The dentists' busyness index was 1.91. Of the participants, 40% of practicing dentists wanted more patients, 30.8% did not overwork but did not want more patients, and 27.1% overworked and did not want more patients. The busyness index was significantly related to the number of dental hygienists and dentists. However, it did not differ with respect to the number of assistant nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The busyness index should be considered when developing relevant human resource plans.
Dental Hygienists ; Dentists* ; Humans ; Postal Service

PURPOSE: A sentinel lymph node mapping with blue dye has been well accepted as a common procedure in breast cancer surgery. However, it is well known that blue dye absorbed into the circulation may interfere pulse oximetery reading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of pulse oximetery reading by isosulfan blue dye injection during sentinel lymph node mapping. METHODS: Thirteen breast cancer patients with normal preoperative cardiopulmonary functions were studied. Four ml of isosulfan blue dye was injected subdermally when the patient became stable after induction of general anesthesia. The pulse oximetery was monitored continuously. Multiple arterial blood gas analyses (ABGA) were performed before dye injection and 10, 30, 40 minutes after dye injection. The results of oxygen saturturation by oximetery (SpO2) and the results of arterial oxygen tension (SaO2) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) by ABGA were compared. RESULTS: The value of both SaO2 and PaO2 measured by ABGA has not been altered by isosulfan dye injection. However SpO2 decreased by isosulfan dye injection. SpO2 decrease started 8.2+/-1.5 (2~0) minutes after dye injection and returned to preinjection level by 85.7+/-5.6 (60~126) minutes after injection. The lowest vaule of SpO2 was 95.6+/-1.2% (93~97). Mean duration of SpO2 decrease was 77.5+/-6.2 (40~117) minutes. The duration of SpO2 decrease was longer in the aged patients, but it was not statistically significant (p=0.3). There was no siginificant difference in duration of SpO2 decrease according to injection site, operation method, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: .Isosulfan dye injection using for sentinel lymph node mapping causes no change in true ABGA results but causes a mild reversible decrease in SpO2, It is important to look for other causes when SpO2 decrease is significant and persistent.
Anesthesia, General ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Body Mass Index ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Oxygen ; Reading*

Oral or rectal sodium phosphate(NaP) preparation is commonly used for the colonic cleansing. Since the sole route of excretion of absorbed phosphate is renal, diminished renal function will limit the ability to excrete a sudden phosphate load. To date, about 20 adult cases of hyerphosphatemia associated with oral or rectal sodium phosphate solution have been reported, but not a single case in Korea to our knowledge. We report two cases of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia after the administration of NaP(Colclean(R)) to reemphasizes the potential hazard of sodium phosphate bowel preparation in patients with compromised renal function.
Adult ; Colon ; Humans ; Hyperphosphatemia* ; Hypocalcemia* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Korea ; Laxatives* ; Sodium