Inonotus obliquus is a fungus that causes white heart rot on several broad-leaved species. This fungus forms typical charcoal-black, sterile conks (chaga) or cinder conks on infected stems of the birche (Betula spp). The dark brown pulp of the sterile conk is formed by a pure mycelial mass of fungus. Chaga are a folk remedy in Russia, reflecting the circumboreal distribution of I. obliquus in boreal forest ecosystems on Betula spp. and in meridional mountain forests on beech (Fagus spp.) in Russia, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe. Distribution at lower latitudes in Western and Southern Europe, Northern America, Asia, Japan, and Korea is rare. Infected trees grow for many years without several symptoms of decline. The infection can penetrate through stem injuries with exterior sterile conks developing later. In the Czech Republic, cinder conk is found on birches inhabiting peat bogs and in mountain areas with a colder and more humid climate, although it is widespread in other broad leaved species over the Czech Republic. The most common hosts are B. pendula, B. pubescens, B. carpatica, and F. sylvatica. Less frequent hosts include Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus cerris, Q. petraea, Q. robur, Q. delachampii, and Ulmus sp.
Acer ; Alnus ; Asia ; Betula ; Climate ; Czech Republic ; Ecology ; Ecosystem ; Europe ; Europe, Eastern ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Fagus ; Fraxinus ; Fungi ; Heart ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; North America ; Quercus ; Russia ; Scandinavia ; Soil ; Trees ; Ulmus ; Wetlands

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of the three different Ni-Ti file systems used by undergraduate students. Fifty undergraduate students prepared 150 simulated curved root canals in resin blocks with three Ni-Ti file systems - ProFile(R) (PF), Manual ProTaper(R) (MPT), Rotary ProTape(R) (RPT). Every student prepared 3 simulated root canals with each system respectively. After root canal preparation, the Ni-Ti files were evaluated for distortion or breakage. Assessments were made according to the presence of various types of canal aberrations. The pre- and post-instrumented canal images were attained and superimposed. The instrumented root canal width were measured and calculated for the net transportation (deviation) and the centering ratio. Under the condition of this study, both ProTaper(R) systems allowed significantly more removal of root canal wall than the ProFile(R) system. In the important other aspects such as the centering ratio, there was no significant differences between the systems. Novice dental students were able to prepare curved root canals with any kinds of Ni-Ti file systems with little aberration and great conservation of tooth structure. Students want to learn effective methods and at the same time simple rotary procedures. The rotary ProTaper(R) systems were one of the most compatible to these students from the point of view of cutting ability. The ProFile(R) system was also compatible in safe and gentle shaping.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Root Canal Preparation ; Students, Dental ; Tooth ; Transportation

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the patterns of medical care utilization and its related factors in hypertensive patients during 19 years (1990-2008), utilizing national patient survey in Korea. METHODS: Using seven surveyed data, age-standardized medical care utilization increasing ratios for the inpatients and outpatients compared to the year of 1990 were calculated, respectively. Changes of medical facilities (%) of patients used in 1990, 1999, and 2008 were compared. For the outpatients, median length of stay and discharge mortality rate per 1,000 persons were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to identify related factors of the resident patients and the comparison characteristics between hypertensives and the others of all subjects. Sample weights were used. RESULTS: The medical care utilization of hypertensives were increased for both inpatients and outpatients. However, the ratios were dramatically diminished after the standardization. Age-standardized ratios were 3.6 in outpatients and 5.9 in inpatients compared to 1990. For the outpatients, mainly used medical facilities were changed from general hospital to convalescent hospital. Also, median length of stay and discharge mortality rate were increased up to 5 times and 4 times compared to 1990. The odds of being resident patients were related with discharge as death and using oriental medical center convalescent hospital in 2008. Hypertensive patients were older than the others. Confined to hypertensive patients, member of National Health Insurance was more tend to be outpatients but less inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Aging population and long-term care Act were presumed as the main reason for the increasing of medical care utilization in 1990 to 2008.
Aging ; Health Care Surveys ; Hospitals, Convalescent ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Logistic Models ; Long-Term Care ; Mortality ; National Health Programs ; Outpatients ; Utilization Review ; Weights and Measures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the etching effects and bond strength of total etching and self-etching adhesive system on unground enamel using scanning electron microscopy and microtensile bond strength test. The buccal coronal unground enamel from human extracted molars were prepared using low-speed diamond saw. Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (group SM), Clearfil SE Bond (group SE), or Adper Prompt L-Pop (group LP) were applied to the prepared teeth, and the blocks of resin composite (Filtek Z250) were built up incrementally. Resin tag formation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, after removal of enamel surface by acid dissolution and dehydration. For microtensile bond strength test, resin-bonded teeth were sectioned to give a bonded surface area of 1mm2. Microtensile bond strength test was perfomed. The results of this study were as follows. 1. A definite etching pattern was observed in Scotchbond Multi-Purpose group. 2. Self-etching groups were characterized as shallow and irregular etching patterns. 3. The results (mean) of microtensile bond strength were SM; 26.55 MPa, SE; 18.15 MPa, LP; 15.57 MPa. SM had significantly higher microtensile bond strength than SE and PL (p < 0.05), but there was no significant differance between SE and PL.
Adhesives* ; Dehydration ; Dental Enamel* ; Diamond ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Molar ; Tooth

The acknowledgements was incorrect in the original publication of this article.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the buffering effects of social support as an effects modifier in the association between depression and inflammation in the elderly. METHODS: We analyzed the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) for questionnaire, clinical, and laboratory data of 530 older adults living in a rural community. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and C-reactive protein level (CRP), a marker of inflammation, at varying levels of social support. RESULTS: Social support affected the association between depressive symptoms and CRP level in both sexes. However, the direction of effects modification was different for men and women. In men, a higher CRP level was significantly associated with depressive symptoms only among those with lower support from a spouse or family members. By contrast, in women, the association was significant only among subgroups with higher spousal or family support. Social support from neighbors or friends did not affect the depression-inflammation relationship in men but modestly affected the relationship in women. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that social support may have a buffering effect in the relationship between depression and inflammation in elderly Koreans. But the influence of social support may run in different directions for men and women.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; C-Reactive Protein ; Depression ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Rural Population ; Spouses

The purposes of this study were to compare the apical terminus width of simulated curved root canal prepared with three NiTi file systems used by undergraduates for evaluation the effects of flute angle and pitch or radial land on reducing screw-in effect and to determine more safe NiTi file system for inexperienced operators. Fifty inexperienced undergraduate students prepared 150 simulated curved root canals in resin blocks with three NiTi file systems ; ProFile(R), Hero Shaper(R), K3(TM). The electric motor set at a speed of 300 rpm and torque of 30 in a 16 : 1 reduction handpiece was used. The simulated root canal was prepared to ISO #25 sizes with each file system. The scanned images of pre- and post-instrumented canal of resin block were superimposed. To evaluate the screw-in effect of three NiTi file systems, apical terminus width of root canal was measured from superimposed images and statistical analysis was performed. There were significant differences in three NiTi file systems. ProFile(R) had significantly smaller width than Hero Shaper(R) and K3(TM) (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between K3(TM) and Hero Shaper(R). Under the condition of this study, active file system (Hero Shaper(R), K3(TM)) with variable pitch and helical angle had more screw-in effect than passive file system (ProFile(R)) with constant pitch and helical angle. It seems that the radial lands play more important role in reducing screw-in effect.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Torque

The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of one or two applications of all-in-one adhesives on microtensile bond strengths (microTBS) to unground enamel and to investigate the morphological changes in enamel surfaces treated with these adhesives using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twenty-five noncarious, unrestored human mandibular molars were used. The unground enamel surfaces were cleansed with pumice. The following adhesives were applied to lingual, mid-coronal surfaces according to manufacture's directions; Clearfil SE bond in SE group, Adper Prompt L-Pop(TM)1 coat in LP1 group, 2 coats in LP2 group, Xeno(R) III 1 coat in XN1 group, and 2 coats in XN2 group. After application of the adhesives, a hybrid light-activated resin composite was built up on the unground enamel. Each tooth was sectioned to make a cross-sectional area of approximately 1.0 mm2 for each stick. The microtensile bond strength was determined. Each specimen was observed under SEM to examine the morphological changes. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The microtensile bond strength values were; SE (19.77+/-2.44 MPa), LP1 (13.88+/-3.67 MPa), LP2 (14.50+/-2.52 MPa), XN1 (14.42+/-2.51 MPa) and XN2 (15.28+/-2.79 MPa). SE was significantly higher than the other groups in bond strength (p < 0.05). All groups except SE were not significantly different in bond strength (p < 0.05). 2. All groups were characterized as shallow and irregular etching patterns.
Adhesives* ; Dental Enamel* ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Molar ; Tooth

The purpose of this study is to compare the shear bond strength of repaired composite resin with different bonding agents and evaluate the effect of bonding agents on composite repair strength. Forty composite specimens (Z-250) were prepared and aged for 1week by thermocycling between 5 and 55degrees C with a dwell time of 30s. After air abrasion with 50 microm aluminum oxide, following different bonding agents were applied (n = 10); SB group: Scotchbond multipurpose adhesive (3 step Total-Etch system); SE group: Clearfil SE bond (2 step Self-Etch system); XP group: XP bond (2 step Total-Etch system); XE group: XenoIII (1 step Self-Etch system). After bonding procedure was completed, new composite resin (Z-250) was applied to the mold and cured. For control group, 10 specimens were prepared. Seven days after repair, shear bond strength was measured. Data was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The means and standard deviations of shear bond strength (MPa +/- S.D.) per group were as follows: SB group: 17.06; SE group: 19.10; XP group: 14.44; XE group: 13.57; Control Group: 19.40. No significant difference found in each group. Within the limit of this study, it was concluded that the different type of bonding system was not affect on the shear bond strength of repaired composite resin.
Adhesives ; Aged ; Aluminum Oxide ; Fungi ; Humans ; Resin Cements