OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess new three-dimensional (3D) cephalometric variables, and to evaluate the relationships among skeletal and dentoalveolar variables through 3D cephalometric analysis. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired from 38 young adults (18 men and 20 women; 22.6 +/- 3.2 years) with normal occlusion. Thirty-five landmarks were digitized on the 3D-rendered views. Several measurements were obtained for selected landmarks. Correlations among different variables were calculated by means of Pearson's correlation coefficient values. RESULTS: The body of the mandible had a longer curve length in men (102.3 +/- 4.4 mm) than in women (94.5 +/- 4.7 mm) (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the maxillary basal curve length. Men had significantly larger facial dimensions, whereas women had a larger gonial angle (117.0 +/- 4.0 vs. 113.8 +/- 3.3; p < 0.001). Strong-to-moderate correlation values were found among the vertical and transverse variables (r = 0.71 to 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: The normative values of new 3D cephalometric parameters, including the maxillary and mandibular curve length, were obtained. Strong-to-moderate correlation values were found among several vertical and transverse variables through 3D cephalometric analysis. This method of cephalometric analyses can be useful in diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with dentofacial deformities.
Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dentofacial Deformities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Young Adult

This study intended to obtain an useful information on the prevalence of subjective symptoms, and to clarify the interrelationships between blood lead and lead related symptoms in low level lead exposure. The 93 male workers exposed to lead and 56 male nonexposed workers were examined for their blood lead (PBB), Zinc-protoporphy (ZPP), hemoglobin (HB) and personal history, and completed 15 questionnaires related to symptoms of lead absorption; also measured lead concentration in air (PBA) in the workplace. The results obtained were as follow; 1. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin (HB) among workers exposed to lead were 26.1+/-8.8 microgram/dl, 28.3+/-26.0 microgram/dl and 16.2+/-1.2g/dl; whereas those of nonexposed workers were 18.7+/-5.1 microgram/dl, 20.6+/-8.7 microgram/dl and 17.3+/-1.1g/dl. The means of above three indicies between two groups showed significant difference statistically (p<0.05). 2. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin of workers exposed to different lead concentration in air were as follows; When it was below 25 microgram/m3 , the indices were 24.7+/-79, 26.1+/-26.8 microgram/dl and 16.4+/-1.1 g/dl respectively; These indices were 27.1+/-8.5, 23.9+/-10.92 /dl and 16.2+/-1.3 g/dl when the lead concentration in air was 25~50 microgram/m3; and they were 3.4+/-9.3, 42.3+/-31.3 microgram/dl and 15.5+/-1.2 g/dl when the concentration of lead was above 50 microgram/m3. Although there were statistical difference in blood lead and hemoglobin among three different lead concentration in air, there was no statistical difference of blood ZPP among the three groups with different exposure levels (p>0.05). 3. The most frequently by complained symptom was "Generalized weakness and fatigue", and fewest symptom was "Intermittent pains in abdomen". 4. Only two symptoms out of fifteen symptoms checked by themselves revealed significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups. These were "Intermittent pains of abdomen" and "Joint pain or arthralgia" (p<0.05). No positive correlation was found between the levels of blood lead and symptom groups categorized as gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and constitutional symptoms. 5. Blood lead (r=0.3995) and ZPP (r=0.2837) showed statistically significant correlation with mean lead concentration in air, whereas correlations were not demonstrated between blood lead and lead related symptoms or blood ZPP and lead related symptoms. 6. Blood lead (PBB) and ZPP showed association (r=0.2466) and the equation PBB=23.75+0.0842 ZPP was derived. 7. On stepwise multiple regression, using blood lead level as a dependent variable and ZPP, hemoglobin (HB), age, work duration (WD) and symptom prevalence as a independent variables, only ZPP significantly contributed a lot to blood lead level. 8. While the ZPP measurement was found to be a good indicator in evaluating health effect of lead absorption in low level lead exposure, lead related symptoms were not sensitive enough to evaluate of lead absorption in low level exposure.
Absorption ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Neonatal Gaves disease is a relatively rare condition due to transplacental passage of Thyroid-stimulating antibody(TSAb) from a mother with active or inactive Graveses disease or autoimmune thyroiditis. A 11-day-old female newborn was referred to our department of pediatrics from a local clinic because of low level T4(3.55microg/dl) concurrent with high level TSH (501.74uIU/ml) on the 5th day neonatal metabolic screening. But, our repeated laboratory data showed very high serum T4(59.6microg/dl), T3(1,600ng/dl), suppressed TSH(0.43uIU/ml), and the presence of TSH receptor antibody. Her mother was treated with propylthiouracil(PTU) for Graves disease during pregnancy. Therefore, we thought it was a delayed-onset neonatal hyperthyroidism, because the fetal thyroid gland was initially suppressed by antithyroid drug taken during pregnancy. After initiating antithyroid drug therapy for the hyperthyroid nature, TSH levels became elevated again, while thyroid hormone levels decreased. Maternal and infant blood samples at the 23th day after birth were examined for serum autoantibodies directed towards the TSH receptor(Thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin:TBII, Thyroid-stimulating antibody:TSAb, Thyroid-stimulating blocking antibody:TSBAb) and high levels of TBII and TSAb were detected. About 2 months after birth, TBII and TSAb decreased within normal limit, and then we could stop antithyroid medication in safety. We report here a case of neonatal Graveses disease with very high level of T4 and T3, but firstly presented as hypothyroid nature on neonatal screening because of the maternally transferred antithyroid drug, PTU.
Autoantibodies ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; Mothers ; Neonatal Screening ; Parturition ; Pediatrics ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of prenatal sonographic detection of fetal gastrointestinal(GI) anomalies and to present perinatal outcome of fetal GI anomalies, incidence of polyhydramnios, other malformations and chromosomal abnormalities associated with fetal GI anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prenatal sonographic results were compared with GI anomalies found in 32 neonates during recent 8 years. 32 cases of fetal GI anomalies were divided into three groups based on the level of obstruction and complication; group 1: upper GI obstruction(4 esophageal, 5 duodenal and 8 ileojejunal atresia); group 2: lower GI obstruction(1 colonal, 9 anorectal atresia); group 3: GI obstruction with secondary complication(1 ascites, 2 meconium peritonitis, 2 meconium pseudocyst). RESULTS: The accurate prenatal sonographic detection rate of fetal GI anomalies was 70.6% in group 1 and 100% in group 3 and there was no detection in group 2. False positive diagnosis was made in 5 cases(2: esophageal atresia, 3:ileojejunal atresia), but none of them except one case of multiple cardiac anomalies confirmed by autopsy, was followed by termination of pregnancy. Polyhydramnios was significantly associated with group 1 and associated malformations with group 2. An abnormal karyotype existed in three out of 32(1 case of trisomy 18 in esophageal atresia, 2 cases of trisomy 21, each one in duodenal and anorectal atresia). Survival rate of group 1, 2, 3 were 76%, 25%, and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The upper GI anomalies were easily detected by prenatal sonographic examination and had a good prognosis. But, the lower GI anomalies were difficult to diagnose prenatally and had a poor prognosis. Therefore, further efforts to diagnose for lower GI anomalies should be performed.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Ascites ; Autopsy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Down Syndrome ; Esophageal Atresia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium ; Peritonitis ; Polyhydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Trisomy ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: During the past two decades in Korea, the prevalence rate of childhood asthma has been increased, and also there has been a significant evolution in the management of asthma. In 1994, a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma was established. This study was designed to investigate a real picture of clinical practice in the management of childhood asthma. METHODS: This survey was conducted with data on 24 items of questionnaires from pediatricians working in private clinics, general hospitals, and university hospitals. We investigated the age distributions, severity of asthma, educational levels, management of asthma, and current trends of medication. RESULTS: 1) In age distribution, childhood asthma was most prevalent in 3-5 years old age group (30-40%), followed by 2 years old age group, and was least prevalent in 10-15 years old age group. 2) The number of patients with cough variant asthma was about 10% of all childhood asthma. 3) A period of 5-10 minutes was the most common period consumed for the explanation of child asthma during each medical practice. Cases recording symptom diary and cases monitoring PEFR (using peak flow meter) were less than 10% each. 4) With regard to the use of beta2 agonist in the treatment of acute asthmatic attack, rate of using oral drugs and nebulizer or inhalers of beta2 agonist are similar in the university hospitals, but the rate of using oral drugs was over 80% in private clinics. 5) With regard to the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of chronic asthma, nebulizer or inhaler therapy was the first-line choice in the university hospitals (rate over 60-90%), oral drugs were main therapy in private clinics. The administration of anti-allergic medication as a preventive measures was recommended in about 40-50%, and ketotifen was used most frequently. 6) Immunotherapy was being performed in about 10% of childhood asthma patients. CONCLUSION: Childhood asthma was most prevalent in the age group under 5 years and severity was mostly mild. For the management of childhood asthma, the education and control for asthma are still insufficient and previously published guidelines have been inappropriately used in practical field.
Age Distribution ; Asthma* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Ketotifen ; Korea ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Uterus*

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Sterilization, Tubal*

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) isolated from Korean patients is different in the antigenic and genomic structure of gB from the laboratory-adapted strain. To dissect the reactivity to HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) domains, each domain gene of gB of HCMV SNUCH1, Korean isolate, was amplified from the extracted DNA of the virus-infected fibroblasts with the specific primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified DNA was cloned into pcDNA3. Immunofluorescent staining and western blot analysis revealed that the expressed gB in mammalian cells was immunoreactive and equivalent to the naturally expressed gB in virus-infected fibroblasts. The antigenic component reactive with monoclonal antibodies, MCMVA 57, 88, and 98 appeared at the D3 domain of gB molecule, and that with MCMVA 66 and 135 at the D2b domain. Antibody titer was measured with HCMV-infected fibroblasts and the domains of gB expressed in mammalian cells. There was no correlation between the antibody titer to the whole HCMV and neutralizing antibody titer, and between the antibody titer to whole HCMV and whole gB. It was more reasonable to use whole gB than whole HCMV in the comparison with the neutralizing antibody titer. D3 was representative domain in gB molecule in the anti-gB reactivity. Conclusively it is highly recommendable to use the representing isolates in Korea and its domains for the detection of antibody or the analysis of antigen in the aspect of immunological properties and molecular structures.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Neutralizing* ; Blotting, Western ; Clone Cells ; Cytomegalovirus* ; DNA ; Epitopes* ; Fibroblasts ; Glycoproteins ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Molecular Structure ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze initial displacement and stress distribution of the maxillofacial complex during dentoskeletal maxillary protraction with various appliance designs placed on the palatal region by using three-dimensional finite element analysis. METHODS: Six models of maxillary protraction were developed: conventional facemask (Type A), facemask with dentoskeletal hybrid anchorage (Type B), facemask with a palatal plate (Type C), intraoral traction using a Class III palatal plate (Type D), facemask with a palatal plate combined with rapid maxillary expansion (RME; Type E), and Class III palatal plate intraoral traction with RME (Type F). In Types A, B, C, and D, maxillary protraction alone was performed, whereas in Types E and F, transverse expansion was performed simultaneously with maxillary protraction. RESULTS: Type C displayed the greatest amount of anterior dentoskeletal displacement in the sagittal plane. Types A and B resulted in similar amounts of anterior displacement of all the maxillofacial landmarks. Type D showed little movement, but Type E with expansion and the palatal plate displayed a larger range of movement of the maxillofacial landmarks in all directions. CONCLUSIONS: The palatal plate served as an effective skeletal anchor for use with the facemask in maxillary protraction. In contrast, the intraoral use of Class III palatal plates showed minimal skeletal and dental effects in maxillary protraction. In addition, palatal expansion with the protraction force showed minimal effect on the forward movement of the maxillary complex.
Finite Element Analysis* ; Palatal Expansion Technique ; Traction

PURPOSE: There were no accurate data of hematologic changes in the high school students in Korea since 1980'. Because of rapid growing of Korean students recently, it is necessary to reevaluate Korean data. So we compared hematologic changes in the students of general (GHS) and athletic high school (AHS) in Seoul city. METHODS: We reassured red cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and related hematologic factors in the 452 GHS (male 290, female 162) as control group and the 138 AHS (male 70, female 68) as exercised group. Hematologic comparisons were performed between the students of AHS and GHS and the male and female students with t-test. RESULTS: 1) Values of RBC, Hb, Hct, MCHC, RDW were 4.6+/-0.3x1012/L, 13.4+/-1.2g/dL, 41.5+/- 3.4%, 32.2+/-0.5g/dL, 12.1+/-0.9% respectively in the male AHS and 5.2+/-0.3x1012/L, 15.2+/- 1.0g/dL, 46.7+/-3.0%, 32.5+/-0.5g/dL, 12.3+/-0.6% respectively in male GHS, and there were significant between compared data. 2) Values of RBC, Hb, Hct MPV were 4.5+/-0.3x1012/L, 13.6+/-1.2g/dL, 40.5+/-3.2%, 9.0+/- 0.6fl respectively in the female AHS and 5.0+/-0.5x1012/L, 14.9+/-1.3g/dL, 44.8+/-3.4%, 8.7+/- 0.8fl respectively in the female GHS, and significance were between compared data. 3) Values of MCH, MCHC, RDW, MPV were 30.1+/-1.8pg, 33.6+/-1.1g/dL, 12.8+/-1.1%, 9.0+/-0.6fl respectively in the female AHS and 29.3+/-1.8pg, 32.2+/-0.5g/dL, 12.1+/-0.9%, 8.7+/-0.9fl respectively in the male AHS, and there were significant between compared data. 4) Values of RBC, Hct, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT were 5.0+/-0.5x1012/L, 44.8+/-3.4%, 30.0+/-2.1pg, 33.4+/-1.1g/dL, 12.7+/-1.0%, 29.8+/-5.8x104/mm3 respectively in the female non-AHS, and 5.2+/-0.3x1012/L, 46.7+/-3.0%, 29.4+/-1.4pg, 32.5+/-0.5g/dL, 12.3+/-0.6%, 28.7+/- 5.8x104/mm3 respectively in the male non-AHS, and there were significant between compared data. CONCLUSIONS: Among the high school students, exercise caused several hematologic changes that were significant decline of the values of RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit compared to control group regardless of sex. In female students, their values of MCH, MCHC, RDW were significantly increased compared to male students regardless of exercise.
Cell Count ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Seoul ; Sports