OBJECTIVE: Diurnal preference is an attribute reflecting whether people are alert and preferring to be active either early or late in the day. It also referred to as chronotype or morningness-eveningness trait. The PER3 genes have been known to influence diurnal preference. In this study, we have investigated the associations between the PER3 gene polymorphisms and diurnal preference in a healthy young population, controlling for the social and environmental confounding factors. METHODS: The participants in this experiment included 299 unrelated medical college students (M=191, F=108), with a mean age of 22.9 years. Diurnal preference was measured by a single administration of the 13-item Composite Scale for Morningness (CSM). Genotyping of the PER3 VNTR (rs57875989) was performed using polymerase chain reaction. A two-tailed alpha of 0.05 was chosen. RESULTS: The mean+/-SD score on the CSM scale for all subjects was 31.90+/-6.39. There was no significant difference in total CSM score between gender groups, although females showed a trend towards higher morningness score. Although PER3 5R/5R showed the tendency towards high CSM scores, there were no significant differences on CSM scores among genotypes and allele status of PER3 VNTR (rs57875989). CONCLUSIONS: We could not confirm that the PER3 VNTR is associated with diurnal preference in a Korean healthy young population. The future studies need to investigate the association between diurnal preference and other polymorphisms of PER3 gene in larger sample of Korean young healthy population.
Alleles ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVES: The previous genome-wide association studies have revealed several candidate genes for restless legs syndrome (RLS). The PTPRD (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type delta) gene is one of the candidate genes for RLS. The occurrence of antipsychotic-related RLS could also be attributable to differences in genetic susceptibility. This study aimed to investigate whether PTPRD polymorphism is associated with antipsychotic-related RLS in schizophrenia. METHODS: We assessed symptoms of antipsychotic-induced RLS in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients and divided the subjects into two groups according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria : (i) subjects that met all of the criteria (n=44) and (ii) the remaining subjects who were not considered to be RLS patients (n=146). PTPRD rs462664 was genotyped by PCR in 190 individuals. The chi2-test was performed to compare differences between two groups. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotype (chi2=1.31, p=0.519) of the PTPRD rs462664 did not differ significantly between schizophrenic patients with and without RLS. The difference of allele frequencies (chi2=1.30, p=0.25) of the PTPRD rs462664 between the schizophrenic patients with and without RLS were not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PTPRD gene polymorphism does not play a major role in susceptibility to antipsychotic-related RLS in schizophrenia. This finding suggests that antipsychotic-induced RLS may have a different pathogenesis compared to primary RLS.
Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Restless Legs Syndrome* ; Schizophrenia* ; Tyrosine*

OBJECTIVES: The previous studies have suggested genetic vulnerability to restless legs syndrome (RLS) development. The occurrence of antipsychotic-related RLS could also be attributable to differences in genetic susceptibility. This study aimed to investigate whether Retinoid-related orphan receptor A (RORA) gene polymorphism is associated with antipsychotic-related RLS in schizophrenia. METHODS: We assessed symptoms of antipsychotic-induced RLS in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients and divided the subjects into two groups according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria : 1) subjects that met all of the criteria (n=44) and 2) the remaining subjects who were not considered to be RLS patients (n=146). Single-nucleotide polymorphism in the RORA gene was genotyped by PCR in 190 individuals. The chi2-test was conducted to compare differences between two groups. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotype (chi2=0.066, p=0.968) of the RORA gene (rs11071547) did not differ significantly between schizophrenic patients with and without RLS. The difference of allele frequencies (chi2=0.008, p=0.927) of the RORA gene (rs 11071547) between the schizophrenic patients with and without RLS were not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RORA gene polymorphism does not play a major role in susceptibility to antipsychotic-related RLS in schizophrenia.
Child ; Child, Orphaned ; Circadian Rhythm ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Restless Legs Syndrome* ; Schizophrenia*

PURPOSE: To determine normal CT number range of parotid gland by analyzing the change by age increase and the difference among individuals and between both sexes in CT number of normal parotid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 134 subjects who took the CT scan between the period of Jan. 1996 and Dec. 1997 at Yonsei University, Dental Hospital were selected. Criteria for selection were that the patients must be within the normal range clinically and radiologically, and the entire parotid gland on the axial view must be shown. Among the axial views, the one showing the greatest parotid gland size was selected and its CT number was recorded. Also, CT numbers from both masseter muscle were recorded as its control. RESULTS: There was statistically significant correlation between CT number of right and left of parotid glands and masseter muscles. With the increase of age, there is a significant decrease in the CT number of parotid gland (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in CT number between sexes except the 7th decade and beyond age group of parotid gland (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As age increases, CT number of parotid gland has a tendency to decrease, and there is no significant difference in the CT numbers between left and right parotid gland. Therefore in the CT scan of patients suspected of having an salivary gland disease of the parotid gland, to consider normal range of the age-dependent CT numbers of parotid gland and compare the CT numbers of the right and left parotid gland might be useful in diagnosing the disease.
Aging ; Humans ; Masseter Muscle ; Parotid Gland* ; Reference Values ; Salivary Gland Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: There are emerging evidences suggest that the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD) is related to the oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and immune activation. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha genes are associated with the susceptibility of TD and schizophrenia. METHODS: We investigated two hundred and eighty Korean schizophrenic patients. The schizophrenic participants consisted of patients with (n=105) and without (n=175) TD who were matched for antipsychotic drug exposure and other relevant variables. The TNF-alpha gene -308G/A SNPs were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotype (chi2=0.33, p=0.848) of the TNF-alpha gene -308 G/A SNP did not differ significantly between schizophrenic patients with and without TD. The difference of allele frequencies (chi2=0.28, p=0.594) of the TNF-alpha gene between the schizophrenic patients with and without TD were not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the TNF-alpha gene -308 G/A SNPs are not associated with TD and schizophrenia in a Korean population. Further association studies of TD with other candidate genes for cytokines would help us understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of TD.
Cytokines ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Movement Disorders ; Oxidative Stress ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Schizophrenia ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Tumors metastasizing from distant regions to the oral and maxillofacial region are uncommon, comprising only 1%-2% of all malignancies. Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy that arises from cholangiocytes, which are epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. These cancers are difficult to diagnose and have a poor prognosis. In this paper, we report a rare case of mandibular metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed at the primary site and discuss the radiographic findings observed in this case.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Epithelial Cells ; Mandible ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis

PURPOSE : The aim of this study was simply assessing linear measurements in the lateral and medial approach, respectively, for bone harvesting using anatomic and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) analyses on a dried cadaveric proximal tibia. In addition, the availability of the three-dimensional computed tomographic (3D-CT) analysis was also estimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Ten dried proximal tibia were obtained from five Korean cadavers. Four the reference points, the SM (superior-medial), IM (inferior-medial), SL (superior-lateral), and IL (inferior-lateral) were marked around the tibial tuberosity. The PM (posterior-medial) and PL (posterior-lateral) points were randomly marked at points farthest from the lateral and medial reference points, respectively, in the posterior border of the superior articular surface of both condyles. All measurements were obtained on the dried proximal tibia. After computed tomography had been performed, the three dimensional images were reconstructed using V works 4.0(TM) (Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea), and the length between the reference points were measured three dimensionally using the method described above. The error between the mean actual and mean 3D-CT measurements was calculated in order to determine the availability of the three dimensional computed tomographic analysis. RESULTS : The length between the reference points was greatest at the IL-PM, which averaged 65.39 mm+/-10.35. This was followed by the SL-PM with 63.24 mm+/-8.10, the IM-PL with 58.09 mm+/-10.02, and the SM-PL with 51.99 mm+/-9.06. The differences between the IL-PM and SM-PL were 13.4 mm. The mean values were 55.04 mm in the medial approach and 64.32 mm in the lateral approach, and the differences between medial and lateral were 9.28 mm. The error between the mean actual and mean 3D-CT measurements was 0.31% and the standard deviation was 0.28%. CONCLUSION : The anatomical and three dimensional computed tomographic analysis indicates that there was only a 9.28 mm linear difference between the lateral and medial approach. This is consistent with previous studies, which showed that there was little difference between the two approaches in terms of the bone volume. In addition, the error (0.31%) and the standard deviation (0.28%) were considered low, demonstrating high accuracy of 3D-CT. Therefore it can be used in preoperative treatment planning.
Cadaver ; Seoul ; Tibia*

Gastrointesinal polyp is a premalignant lesion, it is recommanded to be removed. Endoscopic polypectomy has long been considered as a safe and effective method for removal of polyps. One hundred forty eight endoscopic gastrointestinal polypectomy were done in 111 patients who visited Chungnam National University Hospital from January in l991 to August in l993, and clinical character including histopathology were evaluated. (continue...)
Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Pathology ; Polyps

PURPOSE: Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is difficult to implement in the best of situations, but evidence is growing that the benefits are significant. The aims of this study are to analyze the current status of full PACS and establish successful installation standard of dental PACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Materials and methods were based on the investigation of current working status and installation standard of PACS, and observation of variable issues to installation of dental PACS. RESULTS: By September 30, 2004, full PACS implementations in their facilities were 88.1% in specialized general hospitals (37 installations out of total 42 hospitals), 59.8% in general hospitals (144 installations out of total 241 hospitals), 12.3% in medical hospitals (116 installations out of total 941 hospitals) and 3.6% in dental hospitals (4 installations out of total 110 hospitals) Only 4 university dental hospitals currently have installed and are operating full PACS. Major obstacle to wide spread of dental PACS is initial high investments. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical environments of dental PACS differed from medical situation. Because of characteristic dental practice, the initial investments for dental PACS are generally much greater than those of medical PACS. Also new economic crisis makes users scruple. The best way to overcome these limitations is to establish an economic installation standard for dental PACS. Also the clear technical communication between the customer and the supplier before both sides are committed to the obstacles are critical to its success.
Hospitals, General ; Investments ; Radiology Information Systems

PURPOSE: To clarify the clinical and radiologic parameters that can be used to differentiate odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 46 patients of ameloblstoma and 48 patients of odontogenic keratocyst at the Yonsei University Dental Hospital during the period of 1979 to 1995 were retrospestively reviewed. As a possible means for differentiating between the odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma, the clinical parameters and the radiologic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: In the clinical parameters, there was no significant defference in age, sex, and sign and symptoms(p>0.05).In the radiologic parameters, there was significant difference in site, shape of the lesion, and external root resorption of adjacent teeth(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The site, shape of the lesion, and external root resorption of adjacent teeth can be the parameters to differentiate odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma, but a definite differentiation of these two lesions needs a more specialized imaging modality.
Ameloblastoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Odontogenic Cysts* ; Root Resorption ; Tooth