Fiber-reinforced composite(FRC) was developed as a structural component for dental appliances such as prosthodontic framework. FRC provides the potential for fabrication of a metal-free, excellent esthetic prostheses. It has demonstrated success as a result of its simple fabrication, natural colour, and marginal integrity, and fracture resistance of veneering composite resin and the FRC material. Although it has lots of merits, clinical and objective data are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength and marginal fitness of fiber-reinforced composite bridge in the posterior region for clinical application. Sixteen bridges of each group, Targis/Vectris(R), Sculpture-fibrekor(R)and In-Ceram, were fabricated. All specimens were cemented with Panavia 21 to the master dies. Strength evaluation was accomplished by a universal testing machine (Instron). The marginal fitness was measured by using the stereoscope (X50). The results were as follows. : 1.The fracture strength according to the materials was significantly decreaed in order In-Ceram(238.81+/-82). Targis Vectris(176.25+/-18.93), Sculpture-Fibrekor(120.35 +/-20.08) bridges. 2.FRC resin bridges were not completely fractured, while In-Ceram bridges were completely fractured in the pontic joint. 3.The marginal accuracy was significantly decreased in order Targis/Vectris (60.71micrometer), Sculpture-Fibrekor(73.10micrometer). In-Cream Bridge(83.81micrometer). 4.The fitness of occlusal sites had a lower value than the marginal sites(P<0.001), and the marginal gaps of inner site of the pontic were greater than that of outer sites of the pontic. Fiber reinforced composite bridges are new, esthetic prosthesis and can be clinically used in anterior regions and short span bridges. However, caution must be exercised when extrapolating laboratory data to the clinical situation because there are no long term clinical data regarding the overall success of the FRC.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Joints ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthodontics

No abstract available.
Inhalation* ; Lung Injury* ; Lung*

Cysts of the adrenal glands are uncommon and present difficult problems in differential diagnosis. In autopsy studies, the incidence of adrenal cysts is ranges from 0.064% to 0.18%. Recently, we have experienced a 22-year-old female patient with spontaneous hemorrhagic pseudocyst of adrenal gland without known cause, presenting symptoms of nausea, epigastric discomfort and intermittent pain of right upper abdomen. In clinical presentation, abdominal ultrasonogram and computerized tomogram suggest cystic degeneration of malignant pheochromocytoma, but screening hormonal evaluation was normal. Selective adrenal venous sampling, adrenal scintigram and pathologic examination were not compatible with the functioning adrenal cortical or medullary adenoma/carcinoma, the mass results in spantaneous hemorrhagic necrosis and cystic degeneratio#n of adrenal gland. The authors reported a case of spontaneous hemorrhagic pseudocyst of adrenal gland, which was successfully resected by laparoscopic excision with reviews of the literatures.
Abdomen ; Adrenal Glands* ; Autopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Nausea ; Necrosis ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is caused by spirochetes known as Leptospira; more than 20 serogroups and more than 200 serovars are known. The disease has seasonal incidence occurring in the late summer or early fall. The typical severe case of leptospirosis is known as Weil's disease; it is characterized by hepatic and renal involvement and is common in Korea. Elevated amylase can be seen when ARF is associated but true acute pancreatitis is an uncomon complication of leptospirosis and only seven cases of well documented pancreatitis have been described abroad, with there was no case report in Korea yet. We experienced a 55-year old male patient who had Weil's disease associated with acute pancreatitis which was confirmed by elevated amylase and lipase with pancreatic swelling and peripancreatic fat infiltration on abdomen CT.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leptospira ; Leptospirosis ; Lipase ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis* ; Seasons ; Spirochaetales ; Weil Disease* ; Zoonoses

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is caused by spirochetes known as Leptospira; more than 20 serogroups and more than 200 serovars are known. The disease has seasonal incidence occurring in the late summer or early fall. The typical severe case of leptospirosis is known as Weil's disease; it is characterized by hepatic and renal involvement and is common in Korea. Elevated amylase can be seen when ARF is associated but true acute pancreatitis is an uncomon complication of leptospirosis and only seven cases of well documented pancreatitis have been described abroad, with there was no case report in Korea yet. We experienced a 55-year old male patient who had Weil's disease associated with acute pancreatitis which was confirmed by elevated amylase and lipase with pancreatic swelling and peripancreatic fat infiltration on abdomen CT.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leptospira ; Leptospirosis ; Lipase ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis* ; Seasons ; Spirochaetales ; Weil Disease* ; Zoonoses

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increasing evidence suggests that manganese deposition in globus pallidus is responsible for MRI signal hyperintensity and for extrapyramidal symptoms in cirrhotics. However, the relationships between blood manganese, the severity of liver dysfunction, the pallidal signal intensity, and neurological signs have not been well established. METHODS: Blood manganese concentrations were measured together with brain MRI and neurological evaluation in six controls, six patients with Parkinson's disease with normal liver function, and fourteen cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy including six cirrhotics with extrapyramidal symptoms. The neurological state was evaluated using the Columbia scale and the pallidal index (PI). The ratio of globus pallidus to frontal subcortical white-matter signal intensity was measured-multiplied by 100. RESULTS: Pallidal signal hyperintensity was observed in 85.7% of cirrhotics, and the PI was higher in cirrhotics with extrapyramidal signs or high grade varices than those without them, but there was no increase in the Parkinson's disease patients. No correlations were demonstrated between the blood manganese level and PI as well as the Child-Pugh score. The blood manganese level was not significantly different between cirrhotics and other groups. However, there was an overt increase only in two cirrhotic patients with extrapyramidal signs. The Columbia scale did not reveal any correlations with the blood manganese level and the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotics with extrapyramidal signs showed a significant increase in PI, but there was no increase in the patients with Parkinson's disease. The PI was not significantly correlated with the blood manganese level. These findings suggest that extrapyramidal signs in cirrhotics might be caused by a different mechanism than those in Parkinson's disease, which could possibly be related with manganese.
Brain ; Globus Pallidus ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Manganese* ; Parkinson Disease ; Varicose Veins