OBJECTIVES: We compared the characteristics of the pain threshold and pain experience between demented group and non-demented group. METHODS: This study was part of Gangwon projects for early detection of dementia in 2010. We recruited 8302 local resident ages over 65 years old. Of theses, 1259 people who scored low MMSE were selected and 365 of them completed CERAD-K(Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease). Finally, 90 in non-demented group and 57 in demented group(mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease) were analyzed. Pain threshold was experimentally measured by pressure algometer and we investigated the pain experience, by Brief pain inventory (BPI), a self-report test. RESULTS: In the demographic characteristics, there are more female, higher ages, lower education in the demented group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the pain threshold. On the BPI results, 'shoulder pain', 'the number of pain' and 'interference of working' were significantly more prevalent in non-demented group. However, there are no significant differences between the groups in the 'pain severity', 'prevalence of pain' and 'pain treatment'. CONCLUSIONS: Demented group report less pain experience but, still perceived pain. It support previous studies that patient with dementia have increased pain tolerance but preserved pain threshold. Thus, active pain assessment and treatment for patients with dementia is needed.
Aged* ; Dementia* ; Education ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Pain Threshold*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Resonance frequency analysis has been increasingly served as a noninvasive and objective method for clinical monitoring of implant stability. Many clinical studies must be required for standardized data using RFA. PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate RFA value changes in two anodized implant groups. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among a total of 24 implants, twelve screw shaped implants as a test group (H2-R8.5) were manufactured, which had a pitch-height of 0.4 mm, an outer diameter of 4.3 mm, a length of 8.5 mm, and external hexa-headed, were turned from 5 mm rods of commercially pure titanium (ASTM Grade IV, Warantec Co., Seoul, Korea), and another twelve implants as a control group were Branemark Ti-Unite MK4 (diameter 4.0 mm, length 8.5 mm). Each group was installed in tibia of rabbit. Two implants were placed in each tibia (four implants per rabbit). Test two implants were inserted in right side and control two in left side. ISQ values were measured using Osstell(TM) (Integration Diagnostics Ltd. Sweden) during fixture installation, and 12 weeks later and evaluated the RFA changes. RESULTS: Mean and SD of baseline ISQ values of test group were 75.0 +/- 3.4 and 68.7 +/- 8.1 for control group. Mean and SD of ISQ values 12 weeks after implant insertion were 73.2 +/- 4.7 for test group and 72.6 +/- 3.9 for control group. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in ISQ values after 3months (P>0.05). From the data, RFA gains after 3 months were calculated, and there was statistically significant difference between groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although there were RFA changes between groups, implant stability after experimental period shows alike tendency and good bone responses.
Seoul ; Tibia ; Titanium

Spondylolisthesis, frequently encountered problems with increasing incidence, has been recognizid as an important clinical entity in orthopaedic field. Several methods were applicated as operative treatment of spondylolisthesis; posterior fusion or H-graft, posterolateral fusion, anterior fusion, fixation with internal devices and etc. During the past 12 years from March 1972 to February 1984, 34 patients among the 42 patients were treated surgically at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Ewha Womans University Hospital and following results were obtained. 1. The average age was 45.2 years(19 ~ 64 years) and female was predominent(64.7%). Isthmic type was 17 patients(50.0%), degenerative type was 13 patients(38.2%) and dysplastic type was 4 patients(11.8%). Below 40 year old, dysplastic and isthmic type were predominent and degenerative type was more common in the age group above forties. 2. The most prevalent site was L5-Sl; 21 cases(61.8%) and L4-5; 13 cases(38.2%) in orders. In isthmic type L5-Sl was 13 cases and in degenerative type, L4-L5 was 9 cases. By Meyerding classification, grade I was most common(26 patients, 76.5%). 3. The clinical pictures were low back pain only and little improvement with conservative treatment(type I: 9 patients), low back pain with sciatica(type II: 13), type II plus neurologic signs such as motor weakness, sensory change or change of D.T.R(type III, 10) and little low back pain with mainly sciatica(type IV, 2). 4. Of 34 patients, anterior interbody fusion were done in 10 patients ; posterior and posterolateral fusion with decompression were done in 22 patients. Only laminectomy were done in 2 patients(type IV). 5. Fusion rate was observed in 21 patients(95.5%) among 22 patients with posterior or posterolateral fusion and 8(80%) among the 10 patients with anterior fusion. Postopertive functional results by Gill's criteria were excellent or good in 31 patients(91%). 6. There were no difference in fusion rate and functional results in operative methods.
Classification ; Clinical Study ; Decompression ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spondylolisthesis

Statement of problem. Titanium is the most important material for biomedical and dental implants because of their high corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility. These beneficial properties are due to a protective passive oxide film that spontaneously forms on the surface. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of osteoblast-like cells on different surface treatments on Ti discs. Material and Methods. Group 1 represented the machined surface with no treatment. Group 2 surfaces were sandblasted with 50microm Al2O3 under 5 kgf/cm2 of pressure. Groups 3 and 4 were sandblasted under the same conditions. The samples were treated on a titanium oxide surface with reactive sputter depositioning and thermal oxidation at 600degree C (Group 3) and 800degree C (Group 4) for one hour in an oxygen environment. The chemical composition and microtopography were analyzed by XRD, XPS, SEM and optical interferometer. The stability of TiO2 layer was studied by potentiodynamic curve. To evaluate cell response, osteoblast extracted from femoral bone marrow of young adult rat were cultured for cell attachment, proliferation and morphology on each titanium discs. Results and Conclusion. The results were as follows : 1.Surface roughness values were, from the lowest to the highest, machined group, 800degree C thermal oxidation group, 600degree C thermal oxidation group and blasted group. The Ra value of blasted group was significantly higher than that of 800degree C thermal oxidation group (P=0.003), which was not different from that of 600degree C thermal oxidation group (P<0.05). 2. The degree of cell attachment was highest in the 600degree C thermal oxidation group after four and eight hours (P<0.05), but after 24 hours, there was no difference among the groups (P>0.05). 3. The level of cell proliferation showed no difference among the groups after one day, three days, and seven days (P>0.05). 4. The morphology and arrangement of the cells varied with surface roughness of the discs.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Proliferation ; Corrosion ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Oxygen ; Rats ; Titanium* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Induction Chemotherapy* ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms*

Modified biliary Gianturco stents were placed in 27 patients with obstructive jaundice. From July 1990 to October 1992, 46 two-seven connected stents of 8-12mm in diameter (Myungsung Meditech, Seoul, Korea) were placed in 5 patients with benign biliary stricture and 22 patients with malignant biliary stricture in three university hospitals; 12 in Chonbuk National University Hosptial, 12 in Wonkwang University Hospital, and 3 in Chonnam National University Hospital. Nineteen were men and eight were women, ranged in age from 34 to 76 years(average, 55 years). The stents were placed percutaneously through a transhepatic approach using a 8.5Fr. Introducing sheath. All stents were placed successfully without any technical failures or procedural morbidity or morality. All patients complained dull abdominal pain for 1 to 3 days after the stent placement. In a follow-up period of 7-46 weeks, reocclusions were observed in one of the patients with benign stricture (20%) and three of the patients with malignant strictures (16%). Two patients with recurrent jaundice due to the obstruction of the stent were treated with placement of additional stent, one patient was treated with external catheter drainage. Migration of stent occurred in one patient. The application of the expandable biliary metallic stent is suggested as an effective treatment for benign and malignant biliary obstructive jaundice.
Abdominal Pain ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Morals ; Seoul ; Stents*

Modified biliary Gianturco stents were placed in 27 patients with obstructive jaundice. From July 1990 to October 1992, 46 two-seven connected stents of 8-12mm in diameter (Myungsung Meditech, Seoul, Korea) were placed in 5 patients with benign biliary stricture and 22 patients with malignant biliary stricture in three university hospitals; 12 in Chonbuk National University Hosptial, 12 in Wonkwang University Hospital, and 3 in Chonnam National University Hospital. Nineteen were men and eight were women, ranged in age from 34 to 76 years(average, 55 years). The stents were placed percutaneously through a transhepatic approach using a 8.5Fr. Introducing sheath. All stents were placed successfully without any technical failures or procedural morbidity or morality. All patients complained dull abdominal pain for 1 to 3 days after the stent placement. In a follow-up period of 7-46 weeks, reocclusions were observed in one of the patients with benign stricture (20%) and three of the patients with malignant strictures (16%). Two patients with recurrent jaundice due to the obstruction of the stent were treated with placement of additional stent, one patient was treated with external catheter drainage. Migration of stent occurred in one patient. The application of the expandable biliary metallic stent is suggested as an effective treatment for benign and malignant biliary obstructive jaundice.
Abdominal Pain ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Morals ; Seoul ; Stents*

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) is challenging, and clinical, radiological and microbiological criteria should be met. Traditionally, culture results on solid media have been reported semi-quantitatively, but no study exists regarding the clinical significance of low-colony count culture reports. The authors of the present study analyzed the clinical significance of low-colony count specimens of NTM with a greater than three-year follow-up period. METHODS: A total of 341 clinical isolates were evaluated among the isolates at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University Borame Hospital from October 2005 to September 2006. Colony count less than 50 was considered a low-colony count specimen. Identifications of NTM from all the isolates were performed using a DNA chip (PCR reverse hybridization, LG Life Science, Korea). Clinical significance was analyzed by reviewing the medical records of patients with greater than three years of follow-up data after NTM isolation from respiratory samples. RESULTS: NTM lung disease was observed in 27.0% of the patients with low-colony count specimens among 167 patients with respiratory samples, and 70.4% of the patients were treated. The low-colony count patients had less NTM lung disease, longer incubation period, and less acid fast bacilli-positivity than patients with a colony count greater than 50. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NTM lung disease with a low-colony count specimen was greater than 25%. In a clinical setting, NTM lung disease should not be excluded only on the basis of a low-colony count.
Biological Science Disciplines ; Chimera ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Medical Records ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: The mechanism by which mutant cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) induces a pseudoachondroplasia phenotype remains unknown, and the reason why a mutation of a minor protein of the growth plate cartilage causes total disruption of endochondral bone formation has not yet been determined. The current study was performed to investigate the effects of mutated COMP on the synthesis of the cartilage-specific major matrix proteins of Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes. METHODS: The Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes transfected with a chimeric construct, which consisted of a mutant gene of human COMP and an amino acid FLAG tag sequence, were cultured in agarose gel. Formation of extracellular proteoglycan and type-II collagen by the cells was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and measuring the (35)S-sulfate incorporation. RESULTS: No difference was observed for the detection of type-II collagen among the cell lines expressing mutant COMP and the control cell lines. Histochemical staining of sulfated proteoglycans with safranin-O showed that lesser amounts of proteoglycans were incorporated into the extracellular matrix of the chondrocytes transfected with the mutant gene. (35)S-sulfate incorporation into the cell/matrix fractions demonstrated markedly lower radiolabel incorporation, as compared to that of the control cells. CONCLUSIONS: Mutation of COMP has an important impact on the processing of proteoglycans, rather than type-II collagen, in the three-dimensional culture of Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes.
Aggrecans/analysis/*biosynthesis ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes/*metabolism ; Chondrosarcoma/metabolism ; Collagen Type II/*biosynthesis ; Extracellular Matrix/*metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/*genetics ; Glycoproteins/*genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Rats ; Transfection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The change of pH in the external auditory canal (EAC) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis externa. However, there is a lack of study focused in this area. Thus, we investigated the differences in the pH in the EAC between several different patient groups of otitis externa and the control group. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: There were 100 patients with otitis externa and 150 normal controls participated in this study. Patients with otitis externa were divided into 3 groups; acute or subacute infective otitis externa, chronic infective otitis externa and chronic allergic otitis externa. The pH of the EAC was measured in otitis externa patients and control subjects on their first visit. RESULTS: The mean EAC pH of the normal control subjects was significantly higher than that of the skin of other parts of the body. The pH difference among the 3 patient groups was statistically significant (the pH of acute or subacute infective otitis externa=6.83+/-0.64; the pH of chronic infective otitis externa=6.16+/-0.67 and the pH of chronic allergic otitis externa=5.78+/-0.59). CONCLUSION: The change in the pH of EAC can be considered as a predisposing factor of otitis externa. We quantified the level of pH at the EAC among three groups of otitis externa patients, and the results showed that the pH difference among the three patient groups was statistically significant. This study warrants a further investigation focusing on the proper choice of eardrops for otitis externa patients according to their pH at the EAC.
Aminocaproic Acids ; Ear Canal ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Otitis ; Otitis Externa ; Skin