The induction of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (QR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) levels in hepa1c1c7 cells (murine hepatoma) by waxy brown rice cultured with Phellinus igniarius to induce anticarcinogenic enzymes were measured. In addition, the inhibition of polyamines metabolism was tested with the growth of Acanthamoeba castellanii. The result shows that QR, GST activities, and GSH levels of experimental animals were increased much more by feeding the methanol extract of waxy brown rice cultured with Phellinus igniarius than those of the rats received the ethanol of uncultured brown rice. The growth of A. castellanii was inhibited mostly at 40 mg/3 ml concentration of methanol extract of waxy brown rice cultured with P. igniarius. The results suggested that waxy brown rice cultured with P. igniarius possess chemopreventive activity by inducing anticarcinogenic enzymes and inhibiting polyamine metabolism.
Acanthamoeba castellanii ; Animals ; Chemoprevention ; Ethanol ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Transferase ; Metabolism ; Methanol ; Polyamines ; Rats

OBJECTIVES: Glide path preparation is recommended to reduce torsional failure of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments and to prevent root canal transportation. This study evaluated whether the repetitive insertions of G-files to the working length maintain the apical size as well as provide sufficient lumen as a glide path for subsequent instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The G-file system (Micro-Mega) composed of G1 and G2 files for glide path preparation was used with the J-shaped, simulated resin canals. After inserting a G1 file twice, a G2 file was inserted to the working length 1, 4, 7, or 10 times for four each experimental group, respectively (n = 10). Then the canals were cleaned by copious irrigation, and lubricated with a separating gel medium. Canal replicas were made using silicone impression material, and the diameter of the replicas was measured at working length (D0) and 1 mm level (D1) under a scanning electron microscope. Data was analysed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The diameter at D0 level did not show any significant difference between the 1, 2, 4, and 10 times of repetitive pecking insertions of G2 files at working length. However, 10 times of pecking motion with G2 file resulted in significantly larger canal diameter at D1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this study, the repetitive insertion of a G2 file up to 10 times at working length created an adequate lumen for subsequent apical shaping with other rotary files bigger than International Organization for Standardization (ISO) size 20, without apical transportation at D0 level.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Silicones ; Transportation

OBJECTIVES: Glide path preparation is recommended to reduce torsional failure of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments and to prevent root canal transportation. This study evaluated whether the repetitive insertions of G-files to the working length maintain the apical size as well as provide sufficient lumen as a glide path for subsequent instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The G-file system (Micro-Mega) composed of G1 and G2 files for glide path preparation was used with the J-shaped, simulated resin canals. After inserting a G1 file twice, a G2 file was inserted to the working length 1, 4, 7, or 10 times for four each experimental group, respectively (n = 10). Then the canals were cleaned by copious irrigation, and lubricated with a separating gel medium. Canal replicas were made using silicone impression material, and the diameter of the replicas was measured at working length (D0) and 1 mm level (D1) under a scanning electron microscope. Data was analysed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The diameter at D0 level did not show any significant difference between the 1, 2, 4, and 10 times of repetitive pecking insertions of G2 files at working length. However, 10 times of pecking motion with G2 file resulted in significantly larger canal diameter at D1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this study, the repetitive insertion of a G2 file up to 10 times at working length created an adequate lumen for subsequent apical shaping with other rotary files bigger than International Organization for Standardization (ISO) size 20, without apical transportation at D0 level.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Silicones ; Transportation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the daily practice of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in a tertiary referral center in Korea and to reveal the retrieval rate and the methods for improving it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the electronic medical record system, a retrospective review was performed on 115 consecutive patients who underwent placement of retrievable IVCFs between February 2000 and January 2011 in Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: IVCF placement was done in 115 cases (113 patients). There were 68 men (59.1%), and the mean age was 58.5+/-15.5 years (range, 10-96 years). The affiliated departments were Vascular Surgery (57 cases, 49.6%), and Internal Medicine (20 cases, 17.4%). Advanced malignancy was the most commonly associated disease (n=30, 26%). The indications for IVCF placement were categorized; absolute indications in 36 cases (31.3%), relative indications in 78 cases (67.8%), and prophylactic use in 1 case (0.9%). The most common indications were thrombolysis/thrombectomy for iliocaval deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (n=55, 47.8). Of the 115 filters, 68 were retrieved (retrieval rate, 59%). The most common cause of non-retrieval was chronic high risk of venous thromboembolism in 24 patients (51%), followed by residual proximal DVT (n=7, 15%), and negligence by unknown reasons (n=6, 13%). CONCLUSION: To improve the retrieval rate, the number of follow-up losses to vascular specialists must be decreased, which can be achieved by establishment of a dedicated IVC filter clinic, implementation of a filter registry, and regular education for medical teams and patients along with their families.
Education ; Electronic Health Records ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Male ; Malpractice ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Vena Cava Filters* ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

When performing septoplasty in patients with a high deviation of the nasal septum, effective correction is difficult and postoperative complications such as a saddle nose may result if the bone or cartilage is removed inordinately. Although several surgical techniques have been introduced, some are difficult to apply easily. Furthermore, the deviation may persist despite the application of surgical techniques due to the rebound memory of the remaining cartilage. This study aimed to describe a simple and safe surgical technique for crooked nasal septa with a high deviation. This method using horizontal dorsal septal incision allows easy separation of the highly deviated portion from the upper lateral cartilage. Furthermore, it is less traumatic than other methods, and predictably preserves the keystone area.

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: This study included 30 patients who underwent minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion at our hospital between May 2011 and February 2012 for the following diagnoses: degenerative disc disease, adjacent-segment degeneration, degenerative spondylolisthesis and lumbar degenerative scoliosis. Pain assessment was reported from 0 to 10 using a subjective visual analog scale (VAS) upon admission and at every follow-up day. Lumbar X-rays were obtained in the standing position upon admission and the 1st and 5th postoperative day, and at every follow-up day after the operation. The heights of the intervertebral disc space and neural foramen were measured using an electronic caliper with the PACS software. The surgical outcome was assessed as excellent, good, fair or poor using the Odom scale at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean VAS for low back pain were 4.93+/-1.47 on admission and 2.01+/-1.35 at last follow-up, respectively, and for leg pain, the scores were 4.87+/-2.16 on admission and 1.58+/-1.52 at last follow-up. The mean height of intervertebral disc space increased by 34% (7.93+/-2.33 preoperatively, and 11.09+/-4.33 immediately after surgery, p<0.01). The mean height of neural foramen also increased by 6.4% without any statistical significance (19.17+/-2.84 preoperatively, and 20.49+/-4.50 immediately after the surgery). Minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion was successful in 27 patients (90%) at last follow-up. Surgical complications were reported as transient postoperative thigh sensory changes (5 patients, 16.7%), transient psoas muscle weakness (3 patients, 10%), cage migration (2 patients, 6.7%), lumbar plexus injury (1 patient, 3.3%), and pain aggravation (1 patient, 3.3%). CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion is a safe and effective procedure for treating degenerative lumbar disease with good outcomes and moderate complications. Further follow-up is necessary to establish its safety and efficacy.
Electronics ; Electrons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; Lumbosacral Plexus ; Pain Measurement ; Psoas Muscles ; Scoliosis ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylolisthesis ; Thigh ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To present a new classification based on the CT and MR imaging findings of buccal space lesions, and to propose guidelines for their radiologic differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two histopathologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed buccal space lesions were classified on the basis of their morphologic appearance and extension to adjacent space as either (1) a mass with a distinct margin, confined to the buccal space; (2) a mass with surrounding infiltration, confined to the buccal space; or (3) a multi-space occupying mass. RESULTS: Type 1 included pleomorphic adenoma, ex-pleomorphic adenoma, carcinoma, B-cell lymphoma, acinic cell carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, glomus tumor and ameloblastoma, and differentiation between malignant and benign neoplasms was not possible. Type 2 included adenoid cystic carcinoma, abscess, complicated dermoid cyst, and Kimura disease. T-cell lymphoma, neurofibroma, vascular malformation, inflammation, and foreign body granuloma pertained to type 3, and each type-3 entity showed different imaging characteristics. CONCLUSION: This new classification based on CT and MR imaging characteristics may provide useful guidelines for predicting the differential diagnosis of buccal space lesions.
Abscess ; Adenoma ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; Ameloblastoma ; Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia ; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Classification* ; Dermoid Cyst ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glomus Tumor ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body ; Inflammation ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurofibroma ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy of iopamidol 370 and iopromide 370, as used in hepatic arteriography, in terms of their safety, patient tolerance, and image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February and April 2001, 30 patients (M:F=27:3; mean age, 57 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent hepatic angiography in which iopamidol 370 was used for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE). Sensations of heat or pain following contrast injection, a patient's distress or discomfort levels, and any side effects of the contrast media were monitored, and afterwards patients were asked whether they were aware of any differences between iopamidol 370 and iopromide 370, which had been used in hepatic angiography for previous TAE prior to February 2001. Three experienced independent radiologists assessed the diagnostic efficacy of the contrast media in terms of overall image quality, which was statistically analysed using Wilcoxon's signed ranks test. RESULTS: No patient experienced sensations of heat or pain during angiography, or showed any objective distress or discomfort, though two suffered mild nausea during angiography with iopamidol 370. None was aware of any difference between iopromide 370 and iopamidol 370. In terms of overall image quality, the diagnostic efficacy of contrast media in all patients was 'good'to 'excellent', with no significant difference between iopromide 370 and iopamidol 370 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In hepatic arteriography, the clinical efficacy of iopamidol 370 is comparable with that of another nonionic contrast medium, iopromide 370, in terms of safety, tolerance, and image quality. Iopamidol 370 is thus a useful alternative medium.
Angiography* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Contrast Media ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Iopamidol* ; Matched-Pair Analysis* ; Nausea ; Patient Safety ; Sensation

We examined the neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects of Tremella fuciformis. The neurotrophic effects of the hot water extract of T. fuciformis was evaluated by microscopically monitoring its potency to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12h cells. The hot water extract of T. fuciformis promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12h cells in this study, superior to other natural substances which was reported previously. When cells were treated with the hot water extract of T. fuciformis prior to beta-amyloid peptide treatment (active domain of A peptide 25~35 treated), toxicity was significantly diminished (p<0.01). These results suggest that T. fuciformis might potentially be used as a precautionary agent in neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, etc.
Alzheimer Disease ; Neurites ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Water

Very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), which binds to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, is an integrin molecule known to be modulated during mobilization of CD34+ cells, and to be involved in signaling the mobilization stimuli. On the hypothesis that cell cycling status might be different depending on the level of VLA-4 expression, we investigated the DNA contents of human cord blood CD34+ cells during ex vivo expansion by recombinant human thrombopoietin and flt3-ligand with simultaneous measurement of surface VLA-4 at the 1st and 4th week. During this ex vivo expansion, expression of VLA-4 increased and almost all cells became VLA-4+ until the 4th day of culture. Expression of VLA-4 was maintained in the major population of the cultured cells until the 4th week. The cells in S/G2/M phase were greater in number in VLA-4 high fraction than in VLA-4 low fraction (n=4, p<.001). Furthermore, the fraction of cells in S/G2/M phase increased as the expression of VLA-4 became higher. These results suggest that cord blood CD34+ cells expressing high levels of VLA-4 have more proliferative activities.
Antigens, CD34/analysis* ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA/analysis ; Fetal Blood/cytology* ; G2 Phase ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/physiology* ; Human ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant, Newborn ; Integrins/analysis* ; Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing/analysis* ; S Phase