Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been known to increase the rate and degree of bone formation by virtue of growth factors in concentrated platelets. Although its great healing effect on bone defect or pre-implantation site preparation in conjunction with bone substitute has been reported, the effect associated with implant is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP on rapid osseointegration of endosseous dental implants in the rabbit tibiae. Twenty two adult female New Zealand white rabbits, weighing approximately 2.7-3.3kg, were used for this study. Twelve of the 22 animals were used for histomorphometric analysis and ten of the 22 were for removal torque test. Each animal received two implants in each tibia (two treated with PRP and two as control) and was given fluorochrome intramuscularly. For histomorphometric analysis, rabbits were divided into four groups according to the healing period. At 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, each three animals were sacrificed serially and the amount and rate of bone formation around dental implant were examined on the undecalcified sections under fluorescent microscope, polarized microscope and light microscope connected to a personal computer equipped with image analysis system. For removal torque test, rabbits were divided into two groups and removal torque tests were performed at 4 weeks, 10 weeks after implant placement. In total, 88 screw shaped, commercially pure titanium implants (Neoplant, Neobiotech, Seoul, Korea) were used in this study. Labeling pattern reflected differences of two groups in bone formation rate at each period. Histomorphometrically, PRP group showed significantly higher bone volume within threads compared to control group at 2 weeks (70.30+/-4.96% vs. 50.68+/-6.33%; P<.01) and 4 weeks (82.59+/-5.94% vs. 72.94+/-4.57%; P<.05). PRP group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks revealed similar degree of bone volume formation comparable to control group at 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. On the other hand, while PRP group showed higher bone-implant contact (47.37+/-8.09%) than control group (33.16+/-13.47%) at 2 weeks, there were no significant differences between PRP group and control group for any experimental period. Removal torque values also showed no significant differences between PRP group and control group at any experimental period (P>.05). These findings imply that PRP could induce rapid, more bone formation around implant during early healing period and get faster secondary stability for reducing healing period, though it has not induced bone maturation enough to resist functional loading.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Substitutes ; Dental Implants* ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microcomputers ; Osseointegration ; Osteogenesis* ; Platelet-Rich Plasma* ; Rabbits ; Seoul ; Tibia ; Titanium ; Torque* ; Virtues

BACKGROUND: The infection rate of syphilis in married couples has been reported by a few investigators during the 1940s. However, studies on recent trends of that particular aspect of syphilis in married couples have not yet been done. OBJECTIVE: We therefore studied the infectivity of T. pallidum and recent trends of conjugal syphilis by observing the spouses of patients with untreated syphilis. METHODS: Couples married for more than 1 year who visited Yonsei Medical Center from 1983 to 1990 for syphilis were entered into this study. We observed the infection rate among spouses of 224 index patients (defined as, between husband and wife, the one who was the first to be diagnosed to have syphilis) who were not treated for syphilis. Syphilis was diagnosed on the basis of physical examination, history of extramarital sexual contacts, and the results of VDRL, TPHA, FTA-ABS, and 19S(IgM)-FTA tests. RESULTS: Fifty-six wives(48%) of 117 male index patients and 50 husbands (47%) of 107 female index patients had been infected at the time of examination. Among the 224 couples, 106(47%) were both infected and in 118(53%), only either husbands(27%) or wives(26%) were infected. Two spouses(50%) of the 4 first incident patients with primary syphilis, 9(53%) of 17 with secondary syphilis and 23(72%) of 32 with early latent syphilis were infected at the time of examination. CONCLUSION: From our results showing the low infection rates among married couples, even in early syphilis when the infectivity is high, it can be deduced that T. pallidum has only a low infectivity.
Family Characteristics ; Female ; Globus Pallidus ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Research Personnel ; Spouses ; Syphilis* ; Syphilis, Latent

Epilepsy can be divided into idiopathic epilepsy and symptomatic epilepsy according to the existence ofunderlying organic disease. It has been said that the incidence of the symptomatic epilepsy caused by underlyingorgainic brain disease is higher in late-onset epilepsy after the age of 20 than in childhood-onset epoilepsy. CTis very sensitive and non-invasive method for detection of organic brain disease. 168 cases of late-onset epilepsyafter the age of 20 were studied by CT in recent 2 years were analyzed. The results were as follows; 1. The 3rddecade was the most frequent age group, and the ratio of male to female was 2.5;1. 2. Structural abnormality onbrain CT was demonstrated in 51.8% of hte patient. 3. The older the onset of age was, the higher the rate of theabnormal CT finding, except 5th decade which showed less CT abnormality than 4th decade. 4. The most frequenthistory related to epilepsy was trauma. 63.1% of the patients had no relevant history; and they showed CT findingsof brain tumor, atrophy and infarction in decreasing order of frequency. 5. Abnormal CT finding was demonstratedin 49.2% of normal neurologic examination and in 46.4% of normal EEG study. 6. The most frequent lesion ofabnormal CT scan in late-onset epilepsy was 30 cases(18.4% )of brain atrophy. The next frequent lesion was 18cases (10.7%) of brain tumor. Infarction, parasites and calcification were other frequnet lesions.
Atrophy ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Brain Neoplasms ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Male ; Methods ; Neurologic Examination ; Parasites ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Food irradiation has been steadily increasing in many countries in line with increasing international trade and concerns about naturally occurring harmful contaminants in food. Although irradiation provides an excellent safeguard for the consumer by destroying almost 100% of harmful bacteria, it is necessary to ensure the safety of irradiated foods. This study was performed to investigate the effect of an irradiated diet on lipid peroxidation in the plasma, liver, small intestinal mucosa, and lymphocyte DNA damage in mice. Eight-week old ICR mice were assigned to two groups to receive either non-irradiated or irradiated (10 kGy) diets containing 20.38% fish powder and 6.06% sesame seeds for 4 weeks. The resulting changes in the degrees of lipid peroxidation were evaluated based on the level of plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), transmission electron micrograph of jejunal mucosa, and free radical-induced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes, as measured by alkaline comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis). The peroxide values of the gamma irradiated diet were measured every week, and the sample for comet assay was taken at the end of the four week experimental period. There was no significant difference in food efficiency ratio between the two groups. The peroxide values of the diet were immediately increased to 35.5% after gamma irradiation and kept on increasing during storage. After 4 weeks, no differences in tissue or plasma TBARS value were observed between the two groups, but epithelial cells of jejumum showed osmiophillic laminated membranous structures, considered as myelin figures,. The oxidative DNA damage expressed as tail moment (TM) increased 30% in the blood lymphocytes of the mice fed the irradiated diet. In conclusion, the comet assay sensitively detected differences in lymphocyte DNA damage after feeding with the irradiated diet for 4 weeks. However, in order to ensure the safety of irradiated foods, it would be more useful to conduct a long-term feeding regimen using an irradiated diet and examine the level of lipid peroxidation and the state of oxidative stress in a greater range of organs.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Comet Assay ; Diet* ; DNA Damage* ; DNA* ; Epithelial Cells ; Food Irradiation ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Lymphocytes* ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mucous Membrane ; Myelin Sheath ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma* ; Sesamum ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Chronic implant screw loosening remains a problem in restorative practices. Some implant manufactureres have introduced abutment screws with treated material, surfaces and macrostructures in an effort to reduce potential loosening. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the materials and loading cycles on detorque value after dynamic continous fatigue test in the sinulated conditions of posterior single restoration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fourteen of each of the following abutment screws - titanium alloy, gold alloy, gold-tite, and titanium alloy modified - were used in test. SEM is used to verify macrostructures of each screws. ZrO2/Al2O3 composite abutment was tightened on 4x10.0mm titanium external implant at 30 Ncm. Cyclic loading machine delivered dynamic loading forces between 20 and 320N for 100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 500,000, and 1,000,000 cycles at frequencies 14Hz. Torque and detorque value after loading was measured. RESULTS: All measued screws had different screw length and thread form. Titanium modified screw had greater detorque value than others before and after cyclic loadings(p<0.05). All abutment screws had no significant change in mean percentage of detorque value after loading to initial value after less than 500,000 cyclic loadings, but significant lower value after 1,000,000 cycles(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Within limintations of this study, all abutment screws may be loosend after about1 year use. Annual check-up is nessasary to prevent screw loosening.

Aortic arch anomalies result from the failure of an embryonic vascular structure to persist and regress in the usual manner during formation of the aortic arch. The anomalous aortic arch may encircle and compress the trachea and esophagus as a form of a vascular ring. The diagnosis of aortic arch anomaly and the recognition of airway compression are important because they are conditions which complicate the natural and surgical course of related diseases. CT can demonstrate the nature of anatomic structures such as the trachea and esophagus not revealed by angiography, simultaneously disclosing the relationship of stenotic airways and offending mediastinal vessels. Volumetric data acquisition by means of spiral CT enables three dimensional reconstruction,which can provide easy global understanding of the complex anatomy and spatial relationship of airway and cardiovascular structures. Three dimensional imaging is very useful for the physician and surgeon who are not accustomed to mentally reconstructing axial images, and can facilitate surgical planning.
Angiography* ; Aorta, Thoracic* ; Diagnosis ; Esophagus ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Trachea

A 39-year-old hairdresser developed sodium bromate poisoning after drinking a cup of hair neutralizer in a suicide attempt. This is the first case of visual loss afteringestion of sodium bromate. Only few cases are as a cause of acute renal failure reported in medical literature. She presented 1 day later with anuria, required hemodialysis. Sensorineural hearing loss, often a characteristic finding, was developed.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Adult ; Anuria ; Deafness* ; Drinking ; Hair ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Poisoning* ; Renal Dialysis ; Sodium* ; Suicide

PURPOSE: To report a case of unilateral trochlear nerve schwannoma in a patient without neurofibromatosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old male presented with acute onset of diplopia which developed 10 days prior. Alternate prism cover test, ductions and versions and Bielschowsky three-step test were compatible with left superior oblique muscle palsy. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging showed a 6-mm-sized lobulated mass in the cisternal segment of the left trochlear nerve passing lateral to the brainstem. An additional thin-section gadolinium-enhanced orbit magnetic resonance imaging showed definite enhancement in the entire portion of the lobulated mass, compatible with a trochlear nerve schwannoma. Diplopia was managed conservatively with prism glasses and regular follow-up examinations were recommended without further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A trochlear nerve tumor should be considered in adults who develop diplopia associated with acquired superior oblique muscle palsy.
Adult ; Brain Stem ; Diplopia* ; Eyeglasses ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Orbit ; Paralysis ; Telescopes* ; Trochlear Nerve*

PURPOSE: Clinical and pathological prognostic factors of idiopathic IgA nephropathy have been reported, but mostly in adults and a few in children. Especially studies about correlation between those factors are very rare. METHODS: We studied 58 children patients who were hospitalized to our clinics and diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy from Jan. 1989 to Jun 1996. They got divided into several clinical groups, which are heavy proteinuria group (group A), asymptomatic urinary abnormalities group proteinuria and/or microscopic hematuria (group B), and recurrent gross hematuria group (group C). They are also divided into younger group (younger than 10 years of age) and older group (older than 10 years og age). We compared their pathological findings of bad prognosis, if they have, in different clinical groups. RESULTS: Group A had most pathological factors of bad prognosis such as higher Meadow grade, crescent formation, necrosis, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, two or more kinds of immune deposit except IgA, high frequency of electron dense deposits of glomerular capillary wall. Group B treded to have some poor prognostic factors such as tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. in terms of age groups, older group was more apt to be heavily proteinuric than younger group, have such pathological factors of poor prognosis that group A had. CONCLUSION: Heavy proteinuria and relative old age in childhood IgA nephropathy, considered clinically poor prognostic, appears significantly correlated with pathologically poor prognostic factors.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Child* ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria

PURPOSE: Clinical and pathological prognostic factors of idiopathic IgA nephropathy have been reported, but mostly in adults and a few in children. Especially studies about correlation between those factors are very rare. METHODS: We studied 58 children patients who were hospitalized to our clinics and diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy from Jan. 1989 to Jun 1996. They got divided into several clinical groups, which are heavy proteinuria group (group A), asymptomatic urinary abnormalities group proteinuria and/or microscopic hematuria (group B), and recurrent gross hematuria group (group C). They are also divided into younger group (younger than 10 years of age) and older group (older than 10 years og age). We compared their pathological findings of bad prognosis, if they have, in different clinical groups. RESULTS: Group A had most pathological factors of bad prognosis such as higher Meadow grade, crescent formation, necrosis, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, two or more kinds of immune deposit except IgA, high frequency of electron dense deposits of glomerular capillary wall. Group B treded to have some poor prognostic factors such as tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. in terms of age groups, older group was more apt to be heavily proteinuric than younger group, have such pathological factors of poor prognosis that group A had. CONCLUSION: Heavy proteinuria and relative old age in childhood IgA nephropathy, considered clinically poor prognostic, appears significantly correlated with pathologically poor prognostic factors.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Child* ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria