Field rodents involved in ecological food chains and which are the prey of carnivores in the natural environment may serve as reservoir hosts for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans, however, no data has been published to date in Korea. A total of 1,008 Apodemus agrarius, a dominant species of field rodents in Korea, were trapped at various locations around the country, and their serum antibody (IgG) levels to T. gondii were examined by ELISA. The mean absorbance was 0.11, and fifteen samples (1.49%) showed positive titers from 0.18 to 0.59. The seropositive samples were analyzed by immunoblot. Five of them showed reactive bands to T. gondii water soluble antigens of 30, 35, and 43 kDa. This immunoblot analysis showed very similar patterns to that obtained using sera of experimentally infected mice with T. gondii. The present study presents indirect evidence of the existence of T. gondii in field rodents in Korea.
Animal ; Antibodies, Protozoan/blood* ; Antigens, Protozoan/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoblotting ; Molecular Weight ; Muridae/parasitology* ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma/isolation & purification* ; Toxoplasma/immunology

No abstract available.
Hemangioma, Cavernous*

During the previous several decades the osseointegrated implants have been considered as the most ideal therapy for the fully edentulous or partially edentulous patients. Although the research on the biocompatibility of osseointegration, the oral tactile function, and the histo-neurologic study had been performed, the change of the oral tactile sensibility and maximal occlusal force according to the postinsertion time of implant prostheses has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the oral tactile sensibility and maximal occlusal force of implant prostheses to natural teeth according to the specific postinsertion time intervals. The fifty seven patients treated with Br adegreenemark implants during the recent seven years were involved in this study. The oral tactile sensibility and maximal occlusal force were measured according to the postinsertion time (o6 months, o12 months, o18 months o24 months, and o25 months) 1.The passive tactile threshold of implants was higher than 6-7 times when comparing to natural teeth(P<0.05). 2.The absolute pressure threshold in horizontal and vertical direction for the passive tactile sensibility had decreased significantly in the post insertion time 13-18 months group and had increased significantly in the post insetion time over 25 months group (P<0.05). 3.50% limit thickness and 100% absolute thickness for the active tactile sensibility had decreased significantly in the postinsertion time 7-12 months group (AT50 : P<0.005, AT100: P<0.05) 4.The maximal occlusal force of the implants prostheses had decreased when comparing with natural teeth in the postinsertion time 1-6 months group(P<0.05) and after that there was no significant difference between the implant prostheses and natural teeth(P<0.05). 5.Maximal occlusal force according to the postinsertion time had increased significantly in the 13-18 months group (P<0.05),after that there was no significant difference. 6.There was positive correlation between age and oral tactile sensibility tested in horizontal and vertical direction (PH:r=0.39, PV:r=0.41) and there was no correlation between age and maximal occlusal force, age and active tactile sensibility 7.According to the results or the questionnaire, 76.6% of the patients were satisfied with the function and 96.7% of the patients were satisfied with the sensibility. In conclusion oral tactile sensibility and maximal occlusal force of implants have changed with the postinsertion time. Oral tactile function of implants was lower than that of the natural teeth, but for the maximal occlusal force there was no difference between implants and natural teeth.
Bite Force* ; Humans ; Osseointegration ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tooth*

The purpose of this study was to compare surface roughness and bone formation around two types of threaded commercially pure titanium implants manufactured by two different companies. The test implants were manufactured by Sumin synthesis dental materials Co. (Avana, Busan, Korea), while the controls were manufactured by Nobel Biocare (MK II, Goteborg, Sweden). To compare bone formation adjacent to newly product with Branemark MK II implant, surface roughness was measured by Accurate 1500M and histomorphometric analysis was done. The results were as follows : 1. Measurement of surface roughness showed that Avana implant had a slightly more irregular surface compared with Branemark implant. 2. In the light microscopic studies, no infiltration of inflammatory cells nor the giant cells wee observed on both groups. 3. In th light and fluorescent microscopic studies, the amount of osseointegration and the extent and the timing of bone formation were similar. 4. There were no statistically difference between two groups in the average bone to implant contacts. Branemark implant ; 67%(SC 23%), Avana implant ; 70%(SD 16%). Comparing with Branemark implant, Avana implant made of CP grade II titanium showed similar good bone healing, formation and osseointegration.
Busan ; Dental Materials ; Giant Cells ; Osseointegration ; Osteogenesis ; Titanium*

A field trial on the control effect of fipronil poison bait against German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) was carried out at different restaurant types in Sinchon, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Monitoring was performed applying food baited traps for 2 days per week. Reduction rates of German cockroaches by applying fipronil baits were 90.9% at Korean restaurants, 96.4% at Chinese restaurants, and 89.4% in beer hall kitchens after 4 weeks of the treatment. Overall average of the reduction rate was 93.9%. As the natural reduction rate at untreated restaurants was 11.5% after 4 weeks, a correction of the average reduction rate by applying the Abbot formula was 93.1%.
*Pyrazoles ; *Insecticides ; Insect Control/*methods ; *Cockroaches ; Animals

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Every effort has been continually made to obtain objectivity in measuring the longevity of fixed restorations, such as by establishing unified judgement standard for deciding success and adopting statistical method that analyzes the data of successful and failed cases at the same time. In Korea, however, desired level of development has not to be made in this field yet. PURPOSE: This study, adopting California Dental Association (CDA) quality evaluation system, established objective standard for deciding success, and inferred the longevity of fixed restorations and their failure analysis through adopting Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Material and method. In order to assess the longevity of fixed restorations serviced in Korea and causes of failure, a total of 1109 individuals (aged 15-74, 716 women and 393 men loaded with 2551 unit fixed restorations, and 1934 abutments) who lived in Kyung-In Province were examined and the findings were as follows: RESULTS: 1. Length of service of fixed restorations serviced in Korea was 6.86+/-0.15 yr (mean), 5.5 yr (median), and the rate of success was 65.82% in 5 year survival, and 21.15% in 10 year survival. 2. When there was patient's need for replacing old prosthetics, longevity of fixed restorations was 7.51+/-0.27 yr (mean), 7 yr (median), and the rate of success was 61.08% in 5 year survival, and 17.57% in 10 year survival. 3. Longevity of fixed restorations was longest in the over-sixty age group(9.21+/- 0.66) and that of the teen age group(3.39+/-0.28) was shortest (p<0.05). 4. Longevity of fixed restorations of women (7.38+/-0.18 years) was longer than that of men (6.00+/-0.26)(p<0.05). 5. As for the provider factor (such as unlicensed performers, university hospitals, and private clinic), there was no statistically significant difference in longevity of fixed restorations. 6. Defective margin (34.78%), periodontal disease (12.15%), periapical involvement (11.73%), was the most frequent causes of failure and poor esthetics group showed the longest life above all (p<0.05). Actual frequent causes of failure after removing old prosthetics were defective margin, periapical involvement, periodontal disease and uncemented restoration. In 75.67% of the cases, abutment state after removing old prosthetics was good enough for loading another prosthetics. 7. There was found to have statistically significant influence between longevity of single crown (6.35+/-0.20 yr) and that of 3 unit fixed restorations (7.60+/-0.30 yr) (p<0.05). In each case the most frequent cause of failure was defective margin. 8. The number of cantilever pontic, pontic/abutment ratio, oral hygiene status were found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed restorations in all groups (p>0.05). 9. Longevity of fixed restorations made of non precious metal was longest (9.60+/-0.40 yr), semi precious and precious trailing behind(p<0.05). 10. Group function group (37.04%) and partial group function group (44.62%) were predominant in frequency but showed no correlation between them and among different types of occlusal plane and different types of occlusal surface (p>0.05). 11. Longevity of fixed restorations was longest in the centric interference group(9.35+/-0.62) (p<0.05) among different types of occlusal interference. CONCLUSION: We found that longevity of fixed restorations serviced in Korea is affected by age, gender and type of material, and that most frequent cause of failure is defective margin. In order to assess the accurate longevity of fixed restorations, unified research design, overcoming inter-observer difference and establishing the objective research items are needed. Furthermore, it is thought that prospective approach through thorough study and regular follow-ups is needed just from the start of research. Nationwide detailed studies on length of service of fixed restorations manufactured in Korea are hoped to be conducted hereafter.
Adolescent ; California ; Crowns ; Dental Occlusion ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Esthetics ; Female ; Hope ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea* ; Longevity* ; Male ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Research Design ; Survival Rate

Simultaneous bilateral proximal femoral fractures are extremely rare, and a few have been reported in and outside the country. It may have various causes, and most cases were associated with major trauma, repetitive minor trauma, seizure, parathyroid or renal dysfunction, and anti-epileptic medications. We experienced a case of simultaneous bilateral proximal femoral fractures after generalized tonic-clonic seizure in a 70-year-old female. Herein, we report it with a review of the literature.
Aged ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Seizures

The Wallenberg's syndrome is produced by infarction of lateral medulla. Isolated ipsilateral axial lateropulsion without other common symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome has rarely been reported as manifestation of lateral medullary infarction. The responsible anatomical structure of ipsilateral axial lateropulsion is still uncertain. We describe a patient with lateral medullary infarction who present with isolated ipsilateral axial lateropulsion without other symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome.
Humans ; Infarction* ; Lateral Medullary Syndrome

Axin is a negative regulator of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and is involved in the regulation of axis formation and proliferation. Involvement of Axin in the regulation of other signaling pathways is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the involvement of Akt in growth regulation by Axin in L929 fibroblasts stimulated by EGF. Akt activity was increased by EGF treatment and Ras activation, respectively. Both the EGF- and Ras-induced Akt activations were abolished by Axin induction, as revealed by both Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses. The proliferation and Akt activation induced by EGF were decreased by Axin induction, and the effects of EGF were abolished by treatment of an Akt-specific inhibitor. Therefore, Axin inhibits EGF-induced proliferation of L929 fibroblasts by blocking Akt activation.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Epidermal Growth Factor/*pharmacology ; Fibroblasts/drug effects/physiology ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/antagonists & inhibitors/*metabolism ; Repressor Proteins/genetics/*physiology ; Signal Transduction ; ras Proteins/biosynthesis/genetics

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopy requires CO2 insufflation and posture changes for operational convenience. However, above circumstances affect the cardiopulmonary systems significantly. And then intracranial pressure (ICP) may be also influenced. METHODS: To ascertain the changes of ICP, an experimental study was performed, in which the parameters of hemodynamic status, arterial blood gas components and ICP were measured from twelve cases of Korean mongrel dogs. Pneumoperitoneum was produced by CO2 insufflation(15 mmHg) and then posture was altered from horizontal to head-down tilt of 20, 30 and 40 degree*. The measurements were obtained before (control), after CO2 insufflated horizontal position at 20, 40 and 60 minute in CO2 insufflated tilt** and CO2 deflated horizontal***. RESULTS: MAP and HR were not related to the insufflated time and degree of tilt. CVP and PCWP were significantly increased after CO2 insufflated tilt (p<0.01), but returned to control after deflated supine. PaCO2 was not significantly changed after CO2 insufflated supine, but grdually increased with degree of tilt and time (p<0.01). ICP was increased at 40 and 60 minute of 20degree, and at 20 minute of 30degree(p<0.05), then markedly increased at 40 and 60 minute of 30degree, and at 20, 40 and 60 minute of 40degreetilt (p<0.01). The increment of ICP was parallel with time and degree of tilt. But, ICP was returned to control after deflated supine. CONCLUSIONS: ICP was increased significantly during laparoscopy in head-down tilt, although it was reversible. Therefore, the patient must be given special attention during laparoscopy in whom the increment of ICP may be harmful.
Animals ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Dogs ; Head-Down Tilt* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation* ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Laparoscopy ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Posture