The purpose of this study was to measure the marginal fidelities and the fracture strength of IPS Empress 2. and In-Ceram. ceramic crowns. After constructed of 12 experimental dies for each group, ceramic crowns were fabricated on the metal master dies prepared on the maxillary right premolar. Marginal gaps were measured on the specimen between the margin of each crown and finishing line of the metal master die by using stereo-microscope(SZ-ST. Olympus, Japan) and all specimens were cemented on the metal master die with Bistite II.(Tokuyama soda Co, LTD., Japan) resin cement. Finally, marginal gaps were measured again. To measure of the fracture strength, buccal incline on the functional cusp of specimens were loaded until the catastrophic failure occurred by using the AGS-1000 D.(Shimadzu, Japan). The result of marginal fidelities and fracture strength were statistically analyzed with the SPSS version 8.0 programs. The results of this study were as follows : 1. No significant difference was found in the mean marginal fidelities and fracture strength between the IPS Empress 2. and In-Ceram. 2. In comparison of marginal fidelities between before and after cementation, there was significant difference(P<0.05). The IPS Empress 2 system was shown in this study that had good marginal fidelities and fracture strength compared to In-Ceram ceramics. Although this system was acceptable to clinical applications, the system still has to be considered long-term researches about marginal fidelities and fracture strength due to the lack of data about the clinical researches.
Bicuspid ; Cementation ; Ceramics ; Crowns* ; Resin Cements

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify employment experiences of nurses caring for hospitalized foreign patients. METHODS: For this study, 10 nurses caring for foreign patients for more than 6 months were chosen purposively. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from July to September 2013 and analyzed in terms of Giorgi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: Five themes-clusters were identified from fifteen themes; 1) Awesome challenges; 2) Laborious dealing with barriers; 3) Acceptance of cultural differences; 4) Complete concentration of personal energy; 5) Taking a powerful step towards tomorrow. CONCLUSION: Results of this study reveal the significance of nurses' experiences in caring for foreign patients for the first time in Korea. The following are suggested: First, facilitation and training is necessary for language proficiency, communication skills and ability to understand cultural traits of foreign patients. Second, manuals and international guidelines for caring for foreign patients should be systematically developed to improve quality of healthcare services.
Employment* ; Humans ; Korea ; Quality of Health Care

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Detailed information on additional drug resistance patterns of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is essential to build an effective treatment regimen; however, such data are scarce in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed the results of phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) of culture confirmed-TB patients from January 2010 to December 2014 in 7 university hospitals in Korea. MDR-TB was identified among 6.8% (n = 378) of 5,599 isolates. A total of 57.1% (n = 216) of the MDR-TB patients had never been treated for TB. Strains from MDR-TB patients showed additional resistance to pyrazinamide (PZA) (35.7%), any second-line injectable drug (19.3%), and any fluoroquinolone (26.2%). Extensively drug resistant TB comprised 12.4% (n = 47) of the MDR-TB patients. Of 378 MDR-TB patients, 50.3% (n = 190) were eligible for the shorter MDR-TB regimen, and 50.0% (n = 189) were fully susceptible to the 5 drugs comprising the standard conventional regimen (PZA, kanamycin, ofloxoacin, prothionamide, and cycloserine). In conclusion, the proportion of new patients and the levels of additional drug resistance were high in MDR-TB patients. Considering the high levels of drug resistance, the shorter MDR-TB treatment regimen may not be feasible; instead, an individually tailored regimen based on the results of molecular and phenotypic DST may be more appropriate in MDR-TB patients in Korea.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Incidentally detected focal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was compared with colonoscopy. We investigated the characteristics of colon adenomas which were revealed on PET/CT. Then we identified whether additional colonoscopy was necessary in patients with lesions which were revealed on PET/CT but had no matched lesions on colonoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients who underwent colonoscopy within a 6 month interval after they had focal FDG uptake from January 2010 to May 2012 at National Police Hospital in Korea. Also, we analyzed 30 patients who underwent additional colonoscopy within 2 years after they had no matched lesions on primary colonoscopy. RESULTS: PET/CT depicted 54.6% (41/75) of adenomas and adenocarcinomas. The PET visibility of colon adenoma was significantly associated with degree of dysplasia (p=0.027), histologic type (p=0.040), and the size (p=0.038). The positivity rate was increased with higher degree of dysplasia (low-grade dysplasia, 47%; high-grade dysplasia, 78%; adenocarcinoma, 100%) and villous patterns of histologic type (tubular, 46.8%; tubulovillous, 87.5%; villous, 100%). Patients with adenomas larger than 10 mm (87.5%) had higher detection rate compared to those with adenomas smaller than 10 mm (49.0%). Among the 30 patients who underwent additional colonoscopy, only one patient had a 6 mm sized tubular adenoma (low-grade dysplasia). CONCLUSIONS: Incidental focal colonic uptake may indicate advanced adenoma or adenocarcinoma. Thus, it justifies performing colonoscopy for identifying the presence of colon neoplasms. However, in case of unmatched lesions between PET/CT and colonoscopy, there was little evidence that additional colonoscopy would yield benefits.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/radiography/radionuclide imaging ; Adenoma/pathology/radiography/radionuclide imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Colonic Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography/*radionuclide imaging ; Colonic Polyps/pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. Skin lesions are found in 10-20% of systemic cryptococcal infections, usually secondary to cryptococcemia, while primary cutaneous cryptococcosis with cryptococcemia is very rare. We report a case of rapidly spreading cryptococcal cellulitis in a 64-year-old male on maintenance hemodialysis taking steroids for encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis. Bluish bullous cellulitis developed on the left forearm and spread rapidly to the other forearm. We identified C. neoformans in the blood and skin lesions. We treated him successfully with liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole for 15 months. We also review the literature.
Amphotericin B ; Cellulitis* ; Cryptococcosis ; Cryptococcus neoformans* ; Fluconazole ; Forearm ; Fungi ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Opportunistic Infections ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; Renal Dialysis* ; Skin ; Steroids

Azathioprine is a conventional immunosuppressant in renal transplantation but long-term administration may lead to hematologic complications. We here report a cauda equina syndrome caused by spontaneous epidural hematoma in a renal transplant recipient who had undergone long-term azathioprine treatment. A 34 year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of numbness of the lower extremities and back pain. He had received renal transplantation 14 years ago and had been on sole therapy with azathioprine for 11 years. Three months before admission, the patient developed pancytopenia, and a subsequent bone marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity. Azathioprine was replaced by tacrolimus and steroids thereafter. After a three months discontinuation of azathioprine, an epidural hematoma developed and resulted in cauda equina syndrome. Regular follow-up of complete blood count and change of immunosuppressants with less bone marrow toxicity should be considered in patients receiving azathioprine for long-term period.
Adult ; Azathioprine* ; Back Pain ; Biopsy ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow ; Cauda Equina* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Pancytopenia ; Polyradiculopathy* ; Steroids ; Tacrolimus ; Transplantation

Spontaneous bleeding in various parts of the body has been reported in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, but reports on spontaneous subcapsular hematoma of the liver are scarce. We present a case of spontaneous subcapsular hematoma of the liver which developed in a 53-year-old man with maintenance hemodialysis. He was admitted to our hospital with epigastric pain and abnormal liver function test. On abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan, a large, well-defined subcapsular mass of the liver with a density consistent with blood was observed. We performed embolization of the bleeding vessel and percutaneous drainage of the hematoma. Five months later, follow up abdominal CT scan revealed a moderate reduction of the subcapsular hematoma. In conclusion, the possibility of spontaneous hematoma of the liver should be considered in hemodialysis patients with epigastric pain, unexplained anemia and abnormal liver function.
Anemia ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver* ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pneumothorax have been managed with a variety of methods. The technique most frequently used is chest tube drainage. Small caliber catheters were first used in the management of pneumothorax complicating the percutaneous needle aspiration lung biopsy, and the try to treat spontaneous pneumothorax also has been reported. However, the value of small caliber catheters in spontaneous pneumothorax has not been fully evaluated. So, we tried to elucidate the efficacy of 8 French catheter in the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. METHOD: From January, 1990, to April, 1994, 44 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated at Chung-Ang university hospital were reviewed. The patients were sub-divide into 8 French catheter insertion group (n=21) and chest tube insertion group (n=23). We compared the presence of underlying lung disease, the extent of the collapse, the duration of indwelling catheter and complication between two groups. RESULTS: 1) The duration of indwelling showed no significant difference between 8 French catheter group and chest tube. But, complication after insertion as subcutaneous emphysema was developed in only chest tube group. (p<0.05) 2) In the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, all case of the pneumothorax of which size was less than 50% showed complete healing with 8 French catheter insertion. Whereas the success rate in patients with large pneumothorax (more than 50%) was tended to be dependent on the age. 3) In the patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax who were managed with 8 French catheter, the success rate was trended to be high if the underlying disease of pneumothorax was not COPD and if the patient was young. CONCLUSION: These results show that 8 French catheter insertion probably was effective in the pneumothorax less than 50%, the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, young age or secondary pneumothorax not associated with COPD.
Biopsy ; Catheters* ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Chest Tubes* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Needles ; Pneumothorax* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Thorax*