The purposes of this study were to compare the efficacy of irrigation systems by removing a calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste from the apical third of the root canal and the effect of the patency file. Sixty single rooted human teeth were used in this study. The canals were instrumented by a crown-down manner with .04 taper ProFile to ISO #35. Ca(OH)2 and distilled water were mixed and placed inside the root canals. The teeth were divided into 6 groups according to the root canal irrigation system and the use of patency file as follows: group 1 - conventional method; group 2 - EndoActivator(R); group 3 - EndoVac(R); group 4 - conventional method, patency; group 4 - EndoActivator(R), patency; group 6 - EndoVac(R), patency. All teeth were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite. After the root canal irrigation, the teeth were split in bucco-lingual aspect. Percentage of the root canal surface coverage with residual Ca(OH)2 until 3 mm from working length was analyzed using Image Pro Plus ver. 4.0. Statistical analysis was performed using the One-way ANOVA, t-test and Scheffe's post-hoc test. Conventional groups had significantly more Ca(OH)2 debris than EndoActivator(R), EndoVac(R) groups. There was no significant difference between EndoActivator(R) and EndoVac(R) groups. Groups with patency file showed more effective in removing Ca(OH)2 paste than no patency groups, but, it was no significant difference. This study showed that EndoActivator(R) and EndoVac(R) systems were more effective in removing Ca(OH)2 paste from the apical third of the root canal than conventional method.
Calcium ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Tooth ; Water

PURPOSE: It has previously been reported that citrate, thiazide, allopurinol and magnesium (CTAM) have inhibitory effects on calcium oxalate crystallization, but the effects of CTAM on the matrix proteins of stones in vivo has not been studied. Using an ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis model, we investigated the effects of CTAM on renal crystallization and the expression of osteopontin (OPN), which is an important stone matrix protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250gm) were divided randomly into 6 groups of 10 rats. Group 1 was left untreated, and served as a control. Group 2 (CID group) was fed 0.8% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride (crystal-inducing diet, CID) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 (CTAM groups) were fed the same CID as group 2, but were also treated with either potassium citrate or hydrochlorothiazide or allopurinol or magnesium hydroxide, for 4 weeks, respectively. We biochemically analyzed the 24-hour urine and serum samples. The renal calcium content was measured by atomic absorption. The kidneys were histologically examined for crystal deposit with HandE staining, and for OPN expression with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The grade of calcium oxalate crystal deposits, and renal calcium content, were significantly decreased in the CTAM groups compared to the CID group, which also correlated with the decreased expression of OPN proteins in the kidneys of the CTAM-treated rats. CTAM were all effective in preventing calcium oxalate crystal formation, and decreasing the expression of OPN in rat kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CTAM are effective in preventing calcium oxalate stone formation, and that OPN plays an important role in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.
Absorption ; Administration, Oral* ; Adult ; Allopurinol* ; Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Calcium Oxalate* ; Calcium* ; Citric Acid* ; Crystallization ; Diet ; Drinking Water ; Ethylene Glycol ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Kidney ; Magnesium Hydroxide ; Magnesium* ; Nephrolithiasis ; Osteopontin* ; Potassium Citrate ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Calcium ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Dentin ; Hydroxides

BACKGROUND: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have increased susceptibility to irritants. Some patients have questions about types of water for bathing or skin cleansing. OBJECTIVE: We studied the pH of water from various sources to give an overview for physicians to recommend patients with AD. METHODS: Water from various sources was collected for measurement of the pH using a pH meter and pH-indicator strips. RESULTS: Bottled drinking still water had pH between 6.9 and 7.5 while the sparkling type had pH between 4.9 and 5.5. Water derived from home water filters had an approximate pH of 7.5 as same as tap water. Swimming pool water had had pH between 7.2 and 7.5 while seawater had a pH of 8. Normal saline and distilled water had pH of 5.4 and 5.7, respectively. Facial mineral water had pH between 7.5 and 8, while facial makeup removing water had an acidic pH. CONCLUSION: Normal saline, distilled water, bottled sparkling water and facial makeup removing water had similar pH to that of normal skin of normal people. However, other factors including benefits of mineral substances in the water in terms of bacteriostatic and anti-inflammation should be considered in the selection of cleansing water.
Baths ; Carbonated Water ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Irritants ; Mineral Waters ; Miners ; Seawater ; Skin ; Swimming Pools ; Thiram ; Water

We are calling the erupting ground water as drug water or mineral water in Korea and thinking those water and food making water. Authors tried to investigate the evidence of contamination by user on the 10 erupting ground water and gained following results: 1. All of the mineral waters on 10 area in Seoul were unfittable to drinking water standard. 2. In the view of the bacteriology 80% were contaminated by coliform group. 3. The highest value of the free carbon dioxide contents were 652.96 ppm at Sam Sun Mineral Water.
Bacteriology ; Carbon Dioxide ; Drinking Water ; Groundwater ; Korea ; Mineral Waters* ; Seoul* ; Solar System ; Thinking ; Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate temperature changes in the gastric lumen and the efficacy of weak acid neutralization against the ingestion of a strong alkaline commercial agent. METHODS: A total of 23 male New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized with an intramuscular injection of ketamine and xylazine. After gastric lavage, anoro-gastric catheter and an electric thermometer probe were inserted into the stomach. Then 3 mL/kg of room-temperature (24~26degrees C) 1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) disinfectant was instilled into the gastric lumen. The rabbits were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=8) was treated with NaOH only and Group 2 (n=7) and Group 3 (n=8) were treated with 39 mL/kg of room-temperature orange juice or water after 5 minutes, respectively. Intra-gastric temperature was continuously measured and compared with arterial pH before alkali insult and 30 minutes later. Gastric pH was measured, and pathological examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum performed after animal sacrifice. RESULTS: Gastric lumen temperatures gradually increased from 32.6degrees C to 38.7degrees C after alkali instillation. Significant decreases in lumen temperature, 7.5degrees C or 12.0degrees C, were observed following treatment with water or orange juice, respectively (p<0.01). Post-treatment temperature did not exceed pre-treatment temperature for the entire observation period. The gastric pH of the neutralization group was much lower than the alkali alone group or the dilution group (7.0+/-0.7 vs. 11.6+/-0.2, or 10.6+/-0.4, respectively, mean+/-SD, p<0.01). In gastric microscopic findings, only mucosal injuries were observed in the neutralization groups, while there were no significant differences among groups in terms of esophageal or duodenal injury. CONCLUSION: Neutralization therapy with room-temperature orange juice for acute gastrointestinal injuries caused by liquid alkali did not cause additional thermal injury and might have protective effects against local tissue destruction in the stomach.
Alkalies* ; Animals ; Catheters ; Citrus sinensis ; Duodenum ; Eating* ; Esophagus ; Gastric Lavage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydroxides ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Ketamine ; Male ; Rabbits* ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Stomach ; Thermometers ; Toxicology ; Water ; Xylazine

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dry syrups on bovine tooth surfaces. METHODS: Each specimen of the extracted bovine teeth enamel was treated with two types of dry syrup (experimental group), mineral water (negative control group), and liquid syrup (positive control group) (n=12 per group). The specimens were immersed for 1, 5, and 10 minutes and subsequently analyzed for surface microhardness changes using a Vickers hardness tester. RESULTS: The surface microhardness of sound enamel decreased as the immersion time increased. In addition, the microhardness difference (ΔVHN) among the groups after immersion for 10 minutes in both liquid syrup and two types of dry syrup was higher than that after immersion in mineral water (P<0.05). There were significant differences between the liquid syrup group and the two dry syrup groups (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups of dry syrup (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results imply the erosive potential of dry syrup on tooth surfaces. The longer the contact time with teeth, greater is the risk of dental erosion. Therefore, it is recommended that the mouth be rinsed with water after drinking the syrup.
Dental Enamel ; Drinking ; Hardness Tests ; Immersion ; Mineral Waters ; Mouth ; Tooth ; Water

OBJECTIVES: Although water is essential for life and can supply essential minerals, studies that evaluate calcium intake through drinking water are limited. The aim of this study was to assess calcium contents of natural mineral water (NMW) and its possible contribution to calcium intake in healthy adults. METHODS: This study examined water consumption in 640 Korean adults with selfselected diet, analyzed the calcium content of 10 different brands of bottled NMWs sold in Korea, and assessed the amount of calcium intake from drinking water and its daily contribution to the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of calcium. RESULTS: Mean calcium content in 10 bottled NMWs was 20.9 mg/l. Daily water intakes from food composition database and calculated using energy intake based on 0.53 ml/kcal were 957.2 ml and 1109.8 ml for men and 848.3 ml and 951.6 ml for women, respectively, with a significant difference by gender (p < 0.001). Daily drinking water intake was significantly higher among men than women (1203.9 ml vs. 1004.3 ml, respectively, p < 0.001). Daily calcium intakes from foods were 564.0 mg for men and 534.2 mg for women. Daily possible calcium intakes from drinking bottled water were 25.2 mg for men and 21.0 mg for women (p < 0.001). The contribution of daily calcium intake from drinking bottled water to RNI of calcium was 3.3% for men and 2.9% for women without significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: One half of the daily total water intake was consumed as drinking water, and possible calcium intake through drinking water was about 3% of RNI.
Adult ; Calcium ; Diet ; Drinking Water ; Drinking ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mineral Waters ; Minerals ; Miners ; Water

OBJECTIVES: Although water is essential for life and can supply essential minerals, studies that evaluate calcium intake through drinking water are limited. The aim of this study was to assess calcium contents of natural mineral water (NMW) and its possible contribution to calcium intake in healthy adults. METHODS: This study examined water consumption in 640 Korean adults with selfselected diet, analyzed the calcium content of 10 different brands of bottled NMWs sold in Korea, and assessed the amount of calcium intake from drinking water and its daily contribution to the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of calcium. RESULTS: Mean calcium content in 10 bottled NMWs was 20.9 mg/l. Daily water intakes from food composition database and calculated using energy intake based on 0.53 ml/kcal were 957.2 ml and 1109.8 ml for men and 848.3 ml and 951.6 ml for women, respectively, with a significant difference by gender (p < 0.001). Daily drinking water intake was significantly higher among men than women (1203.9 ml vs. 1004.3 ml, respectively, p < 0.001). Daily calcium intakes from foods were 564.0 mg for men and 534.2 mg for women. Daily possible calcium intakes from drinking bottled water were 25.2 mg for men and 21.0 mg for women (p < 0.001). The contribution of daily calcium intake from drinking bottled water to RNI of calcium was 3.3% for men and 2.9% for women without significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: One half of the daily total water intake was consumed as drinking water, and possible calcium intake through drinking water was about 3% of RNI.
Adult ; Calcium ; Diet ; Drinking Water ; Drinking ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mineral Waters ; Minerals ; Miners ; Water

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify whether the change of pH affects the proliferation and the differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) and what mechanism is underlied. METHODS: To achieve objective of this study, hBMSCs were cultivated in the conditioned media adjusted to potential of hydrogen (pH) ranging from 6.4 to 8.0 using addition of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The ratio of proliferation of hBMSCs according to the change of pH was measured for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h using water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)-8 method. To elucidate the mechanism involved, hBMSCs was subjected to blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) activation. The Osteogenic-related genes and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were tested under the conditioned media. RESULTS: The proliferation of hBMSCs was promoted under extracellular alkali conditions (pH 7.6~8.0) via CaSR/ERK pathway. On the other hand, the differentiation was inhibited/delayed via decreased ALP activity besides gene expression at pH 8.0. CONCLUSION: Extracellular alkali or acidic surrounding according to pH alteration can play a crucial role in hBMSC behavior including the proliferation and the differentiation.
Alkalies ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Gene Expression ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrochloric Acid ; Hydrogen ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydroxides ; Receptors, Calcium-Sensing ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Stem Cells