Biofeedback is the treatment of choice for functional defecation disorders such as idiopathic chronic constipation and neurogenic fecal incontinence. The pre-existing biofeedback systems have many disadvantages. The aims of current project are, first, to develop the biofeedback system into the application software in the Windows environment, and, second, to assess the possibility of clinical usage for patients with functional defecation disorders. The hardware and software of the BASCO (Biofeedback Anal Sphincter Control) system were based on the signal measurement and signal processing of anal sphincter EMG (Electromyography). BASCO system was applied to 5 normal healthy controls and 20 patients with functional defecation disorders. Patients group was categorized as constipation group (N1=15) and incontinence group (N2=5). With use of current system, EMG-based biofeedback therapy was performed, and the outcome was analysed. Anal EMG signal data was processed by the software, and displayed in the monitor of personal computer. The software of EMG-display and database management were adequately operated. In N1 group, a paradoxical elevation or equalized activity of anal EMG pattern was shown in the simulated defecation. In N2 group, low electrical activity was shown. These findings were used for the EMG-based biofeedback therapy as a pilot study. The clinical symptoms were improved in 12 of N1 group and 3 of N2 group in the period of 3.7 (range, 1~12) months follow-up. In Conclusion, newly-developed BASCO system was adequately operated in the volunteer and patients groups. The multi-tasking and multi-processing functions were adequately shown in the real time. Current results could be used for clinical appraisal. Specifically, this system could be used for the practical application of biofeedback therapy in the patients with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence.
Anal Canal* ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Constipation ; Defecation* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Pilot Projects ; Volunteers

Due to the instability of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, various methods of reduction and fixation were introduced to obtain stable reduction and solid union, But there have been many controversies regarding advantages between anatomical reduction group and non-anatomical reduction group. The authors analyzed the 68 unstable intertrochanteric fractures out of total 94 cases of intertrochanteric fractures treated from Jan. 1988 to Jan. 1994 with mean follow-up 17 months and evaluated the radiologic and clinical results between those two groups. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The most common cause was low energy injury and according to the Tronzo classification, the type III was most common in 54 cases (79.4%). 2. The average union time was 14.0wks (84%), the union rate was low in the medialized reduction group(A-P) and anterior displaced reduction group(A-P), anterior displaced and anatomical reduction groups(Lateral). 3. The compression length more than 10mm of lag screw was deep in medialized reduction group(A-P), another displaced and anatomical reduction groups(Lateral). 4. The average length of lag screw sliding was 9.2mm and depth sliding of 6.8mm (74%) was occurred within immediate postoperative 1 month.
Aged ; Classification ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans

PURPOSE: The differentiation properties of stem cells are not yet fully understood due to their close association with multiple environmental and extrinsic factors. This study investigates the differentiation properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and correlates them with their intrinsic mechanical properties. METHODS: A total of 3 different types of MSCs, namely bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCSCs), and adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) were evaluated. These 3 MSCs were individually differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts for 3 weeks. The mechanical properties of the MSCs and differentiated cells were determined by atomic force microscopy. RESULTS: ADSCs showed the greatest ability to differentiate into adipocytes, followed by BMSCs and UCSCs. While UCSCs differentiated readily into osteoblasts, BMSCs and ADSCs were less likely to undergo this differentiation. UCSCs were the “hardest” cells, while ADSCs were the “softest.” The cells differentiated from “hard” MSCs were stiffer than the cells differentiated from “soft” MSCs, irrespective of lineage specification. CONCLUSIONS: The differentiation ability of MSCs and the mechanical properties of the differentiated cells were closely linked. However, there were no significant correlations regarding changes in the mechanical properties between the nuclear region and the cytoplasm during differentiation.
Adipocytes ; Adipogenesis ; Cytoplasm ; Mechanics ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Stem Cells

Microfluidics is considered an important technology that is suitable for numerous biomedical applications, including cancer diagnosis, metastasis, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Although microfluidics is still considered to be a new approach in urological research, several pioneering studies have been reported in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed urological research works using microfluidic devices. Microfluidic devices were used for the detection of prostate and bladder cancer and the characterization of cancer microenvironments. The potential applications of microfluidics in urinary analysis and sperm sorting were demonstrated. The use of microfluidic devices in urology research can provide high-throughput, high-precision, and low-cost analyzing platforms.
Diagnosis ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices* ; Microfluidics* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Spermatozoa ; Tissue Engineering ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urology*

OBJECTIVE: The surface roughness of orthodontic materials is an essential factor that determines the coefficient of friction and the effectiveness of tooth movement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surface roughness change of the brackets and wires after experimental sliding quantitatively. METHODS: Before and after experimental sliding tests, the surface roughness of stainless steel brackets, ceramic brackets, stainless steel wires, and beta-titanium (TMA) wires were investigated and compared using atomic force microscopy (AFM). RESULTS: After sliding tests, changes in the surface of the wire were greater than changes in the bracket slot surface. The surface roughness of the stainless steel bracket was not significantly increased after sliding test, whereas the roughness of ceramic brackets was decreased. Both the surface roughness of stainless steel and TMA wires were increased after sliding test. More changes were observed on the ceramic bracket than the stainless steel bracket. CONCLUSIONS: AFM is a valuable research tool when analyzing the surface roughness of the brackets and wires quantitatively.
Ceramics ; Friction ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Stainless Steel ; Tooth Movement

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to measure the surface roughness at the slot floor of various ceramic brackets. METHODS: One kind of stainless steel bracket (Succes(R)), two kinds of monocrystalline brackets (Inspire Ice(R), Perfect(R)) and two kinds of polycrystalline brackets (Crystalline V(R), Invu(R)) were examined. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the surface roughness of each bracket. Data acquisition and processing were performed using SPIP(TM). RESULTS: The differences in values of Sa, Sq, and Sz in Invu(R) and Inspire Ice(R) were not statistically different from the control group Succes(R). The values of Sa, Sq, and Sz of Perfect(R) and Crystalline V(R) were greater than those of Succes(R). Differences of all the Sa, Sq, and Sz values between Perfect(R) and Crystalline V(R) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the slot surfaces of Succes(R), Inspire Ice(R), and Invu(R) were smooth compared to those of Crystalline V(R) and Perfect(R).
Ceramics ; Crystallins ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Stainless Steel

OBJECTIVE: Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excessive release plays a key role in the development of neuronal injury. In order to define the effect of nimodipine on glutamate release, we monitored extracellular glutamate release in real-time in a global ischemia rat model with eleven vessel occlusion. METHODS: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups: the ischemia group and the nimodipine treatment group. The changes of extracellular glutamate level were measured using microdialysis amperometric biosensor, in coincident with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and electroencephalogram. Nimodipine (0.025 microg/100 gm/min) was infused into lateral to the CBF probe, during the ischemic period. Also, we performed Nissl staining method to assess the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine. RESULTS: During the ischemic period, the mean maximum change in glutamate concentration was 133.22+/-2.57 microM in the ischemia group and 75.42+/-4.22 microM (p<0.001) in the group treated with nimodipine. The total amount of glutamate released was significantly different (p<0.001) between groups during the ischemic period. The %cell viability in hippocampus was 47.50+/-5.64 (p<0.005) in ischemia group, compared with sham group. But, the %cell viability in nimodipine treatment group was 95.46+/-6.60 in hippocampus (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: From the real-time monitoring and Nissl staining results, we suggest that the nimodipine treatment is responsible for the protection of the neuronal cell death through the suppression of extracellular glutamate release in the 11-VO global ischemia model of rat.
Animals ; Biosensing Techniques ; Brain ; Cell Death ; Electroencephalography ; Glutamic Acid ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hippocampus ; Ischemia ; Microdialysis ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nimodipine ; Rats ; Salicylamides

To eliminate the inconvenient shortcomings of our formerly designed system for the biofeedback treatment, the development of second stage software was indispensable. PURPOSE: The aims of current study were to supplement the prototype software, and to improve the application software for the database management system. Moreover, we assessed the practical value and outcome of biofeedback therapy for the patients with functional evacuation disorders by using the upgraded system. METHODS: A new system was worked out a design to be composed of Windows based GUI (graphical user interface), DB (database) management software, and networking system. Main software performs a signal processing and a protocol making mode to train pelvic sphincter. DB program administers patient profiles and the recorded signal data. Networking system was designed to execute RS-232C serial communication of signal data with use of fast ethernet LAN networking. To affirm the reproducibility of signal display for the clinical practice, system was applied to 5 healthy volunteers. To evaluate the practical appraisal, system was applied to 27 patients with functional evacuation disorders who were undertaken anorectal physiologic tests. Patient groups were categorized as nonrelaxing puborectalis group (group I, n=17), incontinencegroup (group II, n=10). Overall patients were underwent a mean 3.7 (range, 2~10) sessions of biofeedback treatment, and the outcome was analysed in the period of 5.8 (range, 3~12) months follow-up. RESULTS: Signal data not having drift or noise were adequately processed and displayed in a real time. Specifically, data upload with use of multi-processing overay display function was appropriately embodied. Overall data and profiles of patients groups were safely saved, sorted, and reproduced by using the upgrading database management software. Regarding to the therapeutic outcomes, 63 percent of 27 overall patients (12 of 17 patients in group I, 5 of 10 patients in group II) were improved. The subjective symptoms of 2 patients in group I were recurred in a period of 3 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hardware and software functions of upgraded system were applicable to the Windows environment of personal computer. A developed system with second stage software made it possible to perform biofeedback treatment. Specifically, current results could be useful for the improvement of the motivation and patient's willingness in the self-learning process of biofeedback treatment.
Anal Canal* ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Constipation ; Database Management Systems ; Electromyography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Local Area Networks ; Microcomputers ; Motivation ; Noise

Objective: To investigate the suitability of citrus-press cakes, by-products of the juice industry as a source for the whitening agents for cosmetic industry.
Methods:Ethylacetate extracts of citrus-press cakes (CCE) were examined for their anti-melanogenic potentials in terms of the inhibition of melanin production and mechanisim of melanogenesis by using Western Blot analysis with tyrosinese, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), TRP2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) proteins. To apply the topical agents, citrus-press cakes was investigated the safety in human skin cell line. Finally flavonoid analysis of CCE was also determined by HPLC analysis.
Results: Results indicated that CCE were shown to down-regulate melanin content in a dose-dependent pattern. The CCE inhibited tyrosinase, TRP-2, and MITF expressions in a dose-dependent manner. To test the applicability of CCE to human skin, we used MTT assay to assess the cytotoxic effects of CCE on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The CCE exhibited low cytotoxicity at 50 μg/mL. Characterization of the citrus-press cakes for flavonoid contents using HPLC showed varied quantity of rutin, narirutin, and hesperidin.
Conclusions:Considering the anti-melanogenic activity and human safety, CCE is considered as a potential anti-melanogenic agent and may be effective for topical application for treating hyperpigmentation disorders.

Menetrier's disease is a rare, characterized by the presence of large rugal folds involving part or all of the stomach. Patients with hypertrophic gastropathy often have distressing abdominal symptoms, weight loss, and edema due to gastric protem loss. A 64 year old male patient was admitted with the chief complaint of epigastric discomfort. Endoscopic, radiologic and histologic examination, revealed characteristic findings of Menetrier's disease. A case of Menetrier's disease is reported with a brief review of literature.
Edema ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach ; Weight Loss