PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) is a new imaging contrast technique. Our MT pulse sequence is designed as fixed time interval between echo and MT pulse. This study was peformed to evaluate the influence of variations in TR/TE on MTR in T1 weighted image of normal brain tissue on this kind of MT pulse sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers in twenties of age as the objectives, MRI was taken under various TR/TE(TR/TE ;700/14, 650/14, 750/14, 700/20 and 1500/20 msec). MTR was calculated from signal intensities measured at the same point in both pre and post MT images and statisticslly analyzed. The MR imager used in this study was 1.0T Magnetom 42SP(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the parameters of additional MT pulse sequence were offset 1000Hz and bandwidth 250Hz, and posteriorly located to echo with 7.7 msec fixed interval. Offset of this MT pulse was variable. RESULT: In white matter of brain tissue from a normal person, MTR was 34-39%(average 37%) for TR and TE of 700/14 in T1WI and 33-36%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 650/14, and 34-38%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 750/14 which showed no statistical difference. However, in case of 1500/20 of TR/TE, MTR was 26-28%(average 26%) which is statistically significant. With TR/TE of 700/14 as the standrd value, the MTR of gray and white matter were 37% and 29% respectively, showing a definite difference of statistical means. Signal from CSF in ventricles is rarely influenced by MT pulse. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, a subtle variation in TR/TE in T1WI has little influence on MTR but wide range of variation in TR/TE as in proton density image induces significant difference in MTR on this kind of MT pulse sequence. Therefore, the exchangeable usage of MTR data would be possible in narrow range of TR/TE change but difficult in wide range of variation.
Brain* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Reference Values*

BACKGROUND: Decreased activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly people are related to decreased quality of life and death and are a clinically important issue. However, few studies have investigated the various characteristics and risk factors for a decline in ADL among elderly in-patients in geriatric hospitals in Korea. METHODS: In total, 163 elderly in-patients with dementia in three geriatric hospitals located in Incheon, Gwangju and Yongin, Korea were surveyed prospectively for associated factors of a decline in ADL after 6 months. RESULTS: On average, the subjects were 79.4+/-7.6 years old, and 67.5% were female. Approximately 63% had Alzheimer type dementia, 36.8% only attended primary school, 73.0% were widowed, and 38.7% had been admitted to hospitals for less than 1 year. The Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score was 14.1+/-6.5, and the clinical dementia rating was 1.9+/-0.9. In total, 8.6% were bed-ridden and 59.5% and 64.6% had never experienced fecal and urinary incontinence, respectively. Total ADL scores declined after 6 months follow-up, and significantly associated factors were low K-MMSE score, fecal incontinence, and co-existence of fecal and urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Low K-MMSE scores, fecal incontinence, and the co-existence of fecal and urinary incontinence were associated with ADL declines in elderly in-patients with dementia in long-term care hospitals located in three cities in Korea.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Long-Term Care ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Incontinence ; Widowhood

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to observe the reaction kinetics and the degree of polymerization of composite resins when cured by different light sources and to evaluate the effectiveness of the blue Light Emitting Diode Light Curing Units (LED LCUs) compared with conventional halogen LCUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, thermal analysis was performed by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The LED LCU (Elipar Freelight, 320 mW/cm2) and the conventional halogen LCU (XL3000, 400 mW/cm2) were used in this study for curing three composite resins (SureFil, Z-250 and AEliteFLO). Second, the degree of conversion was obtained in the composite resins cured according to the above curing mode with a FTIR. Third, the measurements of depth of cure were carried out in accordance with ISO 4049 standards. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA test at 95% levels of confidence and Duncan's procedure for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The heat of cure was not statistically different among the LCUs (p > 0.05). The composites cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs were statistically more slowly polymerized than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p < 0.05). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs had significantly greater degree of conversion value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p = 0.0002). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Std) LCUs showed significantly greater depth of cure value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Exp) LCU (p < 0.05).
Composite Resins* ; Hot Temperature ; Kinetics ; Polymerization* ; Polymers* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-Q wave myocardial infarction tend to have smaller infarcts and less degree of ventricular function impairment initially, however, uncomplicated non-Q wave infarctions are known to be as serious as Q wave myocardal infarction due to residual myocardal ischemia and higher reinfarction rate. METHODS: Inorder to compare the clinical and coronary angiographic findings of Q wave infarction with those of non-Q wave infarction. 58 partients with acute myocardial infarction were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were classified into Q wave(n=45) and non-Q wave infarction(n=13) according to electrocardiographic findings. RESULTS: 1) There were no significant differences between the two groups in risk factors of coronary artery disease such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and diabets mellitus. 2) The peak myocardial enzyme levels of CPK, CPK-MB were significantly higher in the Q wave MI group, and the percentage of wall motion abnormality on two-dimensional echocardiography was significantly higher in Q wave MI than in the non-Q wave MI group. 3) The number of involved vessel, degree of stenosis and collateral circulation were not different but high degree of stenosis of infarct-related artery was more frequent in Q wave MI group. 4) There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of arrhythmia and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: There were some differences in clinical and angiographic findings, but in-hospital mortality was not significant different between two groups. Futher prospective studies should be performed to clarify the long term prognosis.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Collateral Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Ventricular Function

PURPOSE: Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium(INVM) can present as heart failure or arrhythmias in a child. It is a rare disorder, characterized by prominent trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular recesses. We still know little about the diagnosis, symptoms, and clinical outcomes of INVM. METHODS: We included in our study 6 patients who showed ventricular noncompaction on echocardiography. Patients were diagnosed as INVM were excessively prominent trabeculations with deep intertrabecular recesses were found on echocardiography. Patients who had other complex heart lesions such as pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in addition to ventricular noncompaction, were excluded. RESULTS: Age at presentation ranged from 1 day 7 years, with follow up being as long as 6 years. Symptoms at initial presentation were heart murmur, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, cyanosis, feeding intolerance, ventricular tachycardia, and cardiomegaly at fetal screening. Prominent trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses were observed at left ventricular apex in all six patients. All patients were alive at last follow-up. One patient showed WPW syndrome on electrocardiography. Echocardiography revealed decreased systolic function in 4 patients, and decreased systolic and diastolic function in 1 patient. One patient is currently asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Six patients were diagnosed with INVM with various symptoms at initial presentation. Echocardiography is the most important tool in the diagnosis of INVM due to its morphological characteristics. INVM can rarely be the cause of long term systolic dysfunction, and early detection by echocardiographic screening may be beneficial.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiomegaly ; Child ; Cyanosis ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Murmurs ; Humans ; Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium* ; Mass Screening ; Pulmonary Atresia ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Trabecular Meshwork ; Ventricular Septum ; Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

PURPOSE: To measure the magnetization transfer ratio(MTR) of intracranial tumors and to evaluate the difference of the character and the border of tumors on magnetization transfer image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively reviewed magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) findings of intracranial tumors of 13 patients. 1.0T MRI machine was used. T1 weighted image(TRITE=700/14) and T1 weighted magnetization transfer image were obtained. The offset and bandwidth of magnetization transfer pulse were 1000 Hz and 250Hz, respectively. Postcontrast images were also obtained. MTR was measured at lesion area. RESULTS: The mean of normal MTR of white matter and gray matter in 7 normal volunteers were 37% and 29%, respectively. The MTR of each tumor was as follows;metastatic tumors(mean 16.3%), meningioma(mean 27.3%), oligodendroglioma(mean 20.2%), glomus jugulare tumor(mean 17.3%), gliomatosis cerebri(mean 27. 0%). The contrast of lesions were better at magnetization transfer image than at T1 weighted image. CONCLUSION: The MTR of the intracranial tumors is lower than normal tissue. Measurement of MTR at muirpie areas within the tumor can be useful for evaluation of indistinct border of the tumor.
Glomus Jugulare ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MnO₂-diatom microbubbler (DM) on the surface of prosthetic materials as a mouthwash by comparing the biofilm removal effect with those previously used as a mouthwash in dental clinic.MATERIALS AND METHODS: DM was fabricated by doping manganese dioxide nanosheets to the diatom cylinder surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of DM and to analyze the composition of doped MnO₂. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the reaction of DM in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Non-precious metal alloys, zirconia and resin specimens were prepared to evaluate the effect of biofilm removal on the surface of prosthetic materials. And then Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms were formed on the specimens. When 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and DM were treated on the biofilms, the decontamination effect was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution by crystal violet staining.RESULTS: Manganese dioxide was found on the surface of the diatom cylinder, and it was found to produce bubble of oxygen gas when added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. For all materials used in the experiments, biofilms of the DM-treated groups got effectively removed compared to the groups used with chlorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide alone.CONCLUSION: MnO₂-diatom microbubbler can remove bacterial membranes on the surface of prosthetic materials more effectively than conventional mouthwashes.
Alloys ; Biofilms ; Chlorhexidine ; Decontamination ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Plaque ; Diatoms ; Gentian Violet ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; In Vitro Techniques ; Manganese ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Mouthwashes ; Oral Hygiene ; Oxygen ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Streptococcus mutans

As digital dentistry technology is being developed, it is being used in various ways. This case covers how digital dentistry technology is being applied on the treatment of patients with loss of vertical dimension due to worn dentition and multiple loss of teeth. The loss of vertical dimension was carefully assessed and recovered, and implants were placed with surgical guides, designed considering the final restoration. The movement of the mandibular was measured with the electronic instrument for recording mandibular movement. Wax-up process was done with Naturgemäße Aufwachs-Technik (N.A.T.) and Natural functional reconstruction (N.F.R.). It was scanned, and the provisional restoration was fabricated using Computer-Aided-Design/Computer-Aided-Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, and the adjustment process was done at the clinic to meet with the satisfaction both functionally and esthetically, and then, using double scanning and CAD/CAM technology, it was carried out as a final restoration. As a result, the patient obtained satisfying results, utilizing the benefits of digital dentistry technology and traditional methods.
Dentistry ; Dentition ; Humans ; Mouth Rehabilitation ; Mouth ; Tooth Loss ; Tooth ; Vertical Dimension

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine ; Peroneal Neuropathies

The authors recently found a mistake in their previously published article.