OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is diagnosed through history, physical examination, imaging studies and polysomnography. Clinical examination of this condition may point to hypertrophic tonsils and crowded oropharynx. The objective of this study is to investigate the usefulness of modified Mallampati grade (MMG) and tonsil grade (TG) in predicting the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: MMG and TG were divided into 4 and 5 groups, respectively, according to their severity. Medical records were collected from 94 patients who had received polysomnography and otorhinolaryngologic examination for snoring and sleep apnea at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center from March 2002 through April 2004. Patients were divided into two groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) : control (n=24), and patients with sleep apnea (n=70). RESULTS: Patients with higher MMG and TG had higher AHI, and MMG and TG proved to have a statistically significant correlation with AHI (p< 0.05) CONCLUSION: MMG and TG were reliable predictors of OSA and helpful parameters in deciding treatment method.
Humans ; Medical Records ; Oropharynx ; Palatine Tonsil ; Physical Examination ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Snoring

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Fracture and dimensional change of an acrylic resin denture are a rather common occurrence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in dimensional changes and flexural strength of separate maxillary complete dentures after immediate deflasking by injection molding and conventional compression processing. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To evaluate dimensional stability, the maxillary dentures were fabricated by using different materials and methods. Lucitone 199(Dentsply Trubyte, york, pennsylvania, USA) and Vertex(Dentimex, zeist, Netherlands) were used as materials. Compression and injection packing methods were used as processing methods. The impression surface of the dentures was measured by 3D Scanning System(PERCEPTRON, USA) and overlapped original impression surface of the master cast. To evaluate flexural strength, resin specimens were made according to the different materials, powder/liquid ratio and processing methods. Flexural strength of the complete resin specimens (64mm*10mm*3.3mm) were measured by INSTRON 467.(INSTRON, England) The data was analyzed by ANOVA, t-test and Tukey test.(p<.05 level of significance) RESULT: The results were as follows: 1. There was no significant differences between master model and denture base for each group in overall dimensional changes. 2. Palatal area was more stable than flange or alveolar area in dimensional stability. but, there was no significant differences among each area. 3. Materials and power/liquid ratio had an effect on flexural strength.(p<.05) Especially materials was most effective.(p<.05) 4. Lucitone 199(powder/liquid ratio followed by manufacturer's direction) showed higher flexural strength than Vertex. CONCLUSION: Dimensional stability or flexural strength are affected by materials rather than packing techniques.
Denture Bases ; Denture, Complete* ; Dentures ; Fungi* ; Pennsylvania

A 49 years old male patient suffering from liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus was admitted with complaints of chest pain and hematemesis. Three years ago, the patient received a transfusion of unknown blood components, presumed platelet concentrates. During the pretransfusion testing, we found irregular antibodies with the antibody-screening test and identified the antibody as anti-Xga. An antiglobulin test was done as a part of a cross-match and all compatible units of packed red cells were transfused. No transfusion reaction was observed.
Antibodies ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Chest Pain ; Coombs Test ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged

Major neurological features of achondroplasia are attributed to premature synostoses of the pedicles of the vertebrae and of the base of the skull producing obstruction of the ventricular fluid circulation or compression of the medulla and spinal cord. Significant hydrocephalus is due to the obstruction of the cerebrosspinal fluid pathways at the level of the foramen magnum or the disturbance of CSF absorption caused by increased superior sagittal sinus pressure. In generally, the hydrocephalus in achondroplasia is of the communicating type in the pattern, so the CSF diversionary shunt may not be indicate. But, shunting procedures may be needed in patients who showed signs of severe IICP such as bulging fontanels and enlarged lateral ventricle. In this case, we experienced that the hydrocephalus in achondroplasia is prosorption following the stenosis of the foramen magnum and increased superior sagittal sinus pressure.
Absorption ; Achondroplasia* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Foramen Magnum ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Lateral Ventricles ; Skull ; Spinal Cord ; Spine ; Superior Sagittal Sinus ; Synostosis

The authors present their experience with continuous intracranial pressure(ICP) measurements in 6 adult patients suffering from hydrocephalus. The patients showed atypical symptoms and signs and/or were in complicated situations to decide CSF shunt surgery. The role of ICP measurements in a decision of shunt surgery has been found in those cases. The ICP pattern of plateau waves in conjunction with B-waves could be regarded as an indication of shunt therapy in the light of clinical results.
Adult ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Intracranial Pressure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancer strikes at some of the most basic human functions, including verbal communication, social interaction, eating and breathing. Traditionally, the success of cancer treatment has been assessed by objective measures such as disease-free intervals, cure rates, and complication rates. Recently, however, there has been an increased awareness of the need to evaluate treatment effects on the individual's quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to assess quality of life following various types of treatment for laryngeal carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed a quality-of-life after treatment of laryngeal carcinoma patients using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires which was employed by the WHOQOL-group. Fifty-seven patients with laryngeal carcinoma were contacted with the completion of the survey: Radiotherapy only (n=24), conservative laryngectomy (n=16) and total layngectomy (n=17). RESULTS: This study demonstrates that there was no significant difference in QOL in physical health, social relationship and environment between the radiotherapy-only-group and the operation-group (conservative & total laryngectomy). However, the radiotherapy-only group had significantly better (p<.05) QOL on the psychological health domain, especially regarding body image and negative feelings than those of the operation group. CONCLUSION: The negative feeling, the body image change and the poor ability of communication have a negative impact on QOL in the operation group, especially in the total laryngectomee. Providing positive psychosocial adjustment training and voice rehabilitation programs for those who underwent total laryngectomy would be a great help in enhancing their quality of life.
Body Image ; Eating ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Laryngectomy ; Larynx ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Radiotherapy ; Rehabilitation ; Respiration ; Strikes, Employee ; Voice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidermal growth factor (EGF), directly stimulates epidermal growth and differentiation. The combination of EGFR activation and genetic alternations may lead to neoplasia and metaplasia. To study the change of chromosomal number and the aberrations of chromosomal structure of KUMA3 cell line treated with high dose EGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high dose EGF treated cell clones were obtained from KUMA3 cell line which was established from squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip by culturing cells in medium containing high dose EGF for 6 months. The chromosomal analysis and subculture were performed at subsequent passage of 1 month interval. RESULTS: In high dose EGF treated cell clones, there was no apparent change in chromosomal number, but the ratio of the number of chromosome 7 to mode chromosome number was similar to normal value (0.043). The new chromosomal structural aberrations appeared first from 30 passage of IR-200 cell clone. The chromosomal aberrations were del(1)(q23-->qter) and del(4)t(1:4)(1qter-->1q23: : 4p16-->4qter). CONCLUSION: There was no change in chromosomal number, but the ratio of the number of chromosome 7 to mode chromosome number was similar to normal value (0.043), and the new chromosomal structural aberrations were appeared.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; Clone Cells* ; Cytogenetics* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Lip ; Metaplasia ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressants are known to positively influence several factors in patients with depressive disorders, resulting in increased neurogenesis and subsequent relief of depressive disorders. To study the effects of venlafaxine during neural differentiation at the cellular level, we looked at its effect on protein expression and regulation mechanisms during neural differentiation. METHODS: After exposing NCCIT cell-derived EBs to venlafaxine during differentiation (1 day and 7 days), changes in protein expression were analyzed by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Gene levels of proteins regulated by venlafaxine were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment with venlafaxine decreased expression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HB), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2K (HIP2) and plastin 3 (T-plastin), and up-regulated expression of growth factor beta-3 (TGF-beta3), dihydropyrimidinase-like 3 (DPYSL3), and pyruvate kinase (PKM) after differentiation for 1 and 7 days. In cells exposed to venlafaxine, the mRNA expression patterns of HIP2 and PKM, which function as negative and positive regulators of differentiation and neuronal survival, respectively, were consistent with the observed changes in protein expression. CONCLUSION: Our findings may contribute to improve understanding of molecular mechanism of venlafaxine.
Antidepressive Agents ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons ; Prolyl Hydroxylases ; Proteomics ; Pyruvate Kinase ; RNA, Messenger ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to elucidate the requirements for angiographic evaluation and the selection of appropriate therapeutic approaches in patients who had strongly suggestive traumatic carotid arterial lesions. METHODS: Ten cases of traumatic internal carotid arterial lesions were analysed in this study. Injury mechanisms, neurological status, computed tomography scans, pre-and postoperative angiograms, and methods and results of the treatment were included. RESULTS: Of 10 cases, carotid-cavernous fistula(CCF) alone in three, CCF with intracranial pseudoaneurysms in three, pseudoaneurysm with dissection in one, extracranial internal carotid artery thrombosis in one, extracranial pseudoaneurysm in one, and the remaining one had all of the CCF, intracranial pseudoaneurysm and dissection. Seven of these 10 cases had sphenoid sinus wall fractures and six had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Six cases were treated with endovascular techniques, and four with direct parent artery occlusion and bypass surgery. No postoperative morbidity or additional permanent neurological deficits occurred except one patient who suffered from reperfusion hemorrhage after bypass surgery. CONCLUSION: Head trauma patients with facial bone fractures and thick subarachnoid hemorrhage should be evaluated for the development of traumatic injuries to the carotid artery as soon as possible. Endovascular treatment to these lesions have come to play an increasing role. Patients with traumatic internal carotid artery lesions who do not tolerate test occlusion require extracranial to intracranial bypass surgery before occlusion.
Aneurysm, False ; Arteries ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Thrombosis ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Endovascular Procedures ; Facial Bones ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Parents ; Reperfusion ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A 27-year-old man with bacterial endocarditis of the mitral valve and embolic episodes was bound to have a large right coronary artery fistula communicating with the left ventricle, immediately inferior to the posterior mitral annulus. The perforation of the posterior leaflet and coronary arteriovenous fistula was identified using two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. The diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiography, and the patient underwent a successful operation.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Endocarditis ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Fistula ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Mitral Valve