Intraoral fixed type of orthodontic appliance can cause reversible or irreversible damages such as gingivitis, periodontitis, enamel decalcification, dental caries, root resorption, and pulpal changes. Such an increase causes gingival inflammation and enamel decalcification. The purpose of this study is to get knowledge on initial changes in dental plaque, gingvitis, and enamel decalcification after bonding fixed orthodontic appliances according to time flow, gender, and sides(right/left) of premolar region. For control group, 48 students of dental college, Yonsei university(26 males, 22 females) were chosen: for experimental group, 73 orthodontic patients(36 males, 37 females) who will be treated with fixed appliances were chosen, All the subjects had no systemic disease, juvenile periodontitis and all the females had passed their menarche. Tooth brushing instruction was given to all the subjects prior to the experiment, For control group, plaque index, gingival index, and decalcification index were measured twice at 3 weeks interval : for experimental group, the same was done prior to, 3, 6, 9 weeks after bonding fixed appliances. The following results were obtained : 1. In plaque index 3 weeks after placement of appliances, and it showed gradual increase afterwards. 2. In gingival index 3 weeks after placement of appliances, and afterwards it showed increase at a faster rate than plaque index. 3. Enamel decalcification began to show between 3 and 6 weeks after bonding fixed appliances. Decalcification index began to increase 6 weeks after appliance placement, but there was no statistical significance. 4. When the comparison was made between two sides of premolar region, the right side showed greater index in plaque and gingival index of experimental group.
Aggressive Periodontitis ; Bicuspid ; Dental Caries ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Plaque* ; Female ; Gingivitis* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Menarche ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; Root Resorption ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: Hemophiliacs are known to have higher risk of exposure of hepatitis virus and immunosuppression. The aim of this study is to investigate the positive rate of viral markers for hepatitis and anti-HIV and the changes of lymphocyte subpopulations in Hemophiliacs in Chonnam GwangJu area. METHODS: One hundred four patients who had visited to the Hemophilic Clinic, Chonnam University Hospital from 1999 to 2001 were enrolled. They were checked for type A, B, C hepatitis viral markers, anti-HIV and lymphocyte subpopulations. The prevalence of hepatitis and lymphocyte subpopulation were compared according to severity and age of hemophiliacs. RESULTS: Anti-HAV IgM, anti-HAV IgG, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV were positive in 40%(22/55), 65.5%(66/101), 42.3%(42/97) of cases tested. Positivity of anti-HCV showed trends of increase according to the severity of hemophiliacs (P<0.01) and age(P<0.001). Previous infection of hepatitis B were increased according to age (P=0.01) but not to the severity (P=0.194). Positive rate of anti-HCV and previous infection of hepatitis B were significantly lower in young age group (10 years old) than in older age group (>11 years old) (P=0.003, P<0.001, respectively). Although all enrolled patients were negative for anti-HIV, absolute T and B cells counts were decreased in 71.6% and 14.9% of patients, respectively and inversion of CD4/CD8 ratio were found in 65.7%. But there were no statistical difference in not only decrease of T and B cells but also inversions of CD4/CD8 ratio according to age and severity. CONCLUSION: The number of hemophiliacs with previous history of hepatitis B virus infection and seropositivity of anti-HCV were increased according to the age and severity of hemophilia. Active vaccinations of hepatitis B may be required in hemophiliacs. The greater part of hemophiliacs showed decrease in T cell count and inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. The hemophiliacs need a cautiion for infection and follow up tests for immunologic function.
B-Lymphocytes ; Biomarkers ; Cell Count ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gwangju* ; Hemophilia A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis Viruses ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunosuppression ; Jeollanam-do* ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Prevalence ; Vaccination

Satoyoshi syndrome(generalized Komuragaeri disease) is a rare disorder of unknown cause, characterized by progressive, painful, intermittent muscle spasms and alopecia. Endocrinopathy with amenorrhea, secondary skeletal abnormalities, and diarrhea or unusual malabsorption are frequently seen. It seems that autoimmunity may play a role in its pathogenesis. We report a 13-year-old girl with characteristic manifestations of the syndrome. She was treated with intravenous gammaglobulin and Prednisolone. Painful muscle cramps were gradually improved, but the scalp condition did not change. Satoyoshi syndrome should be considered in children with unexplained muscle spasms and alopecia.
Adolescent ; Alopecia* ; Amenorrhea ; Autoimmunity ; Child ; Diarrhea ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Cramp ; Prednisolone ; Scalp ; Spasm*

Factor XI deficiency is a very rare autosomal recessive coagulation factor deficiency, comprising 1/million in ethnic groups other than Ashkenazi Jews. The clinical manifestations are extremely variable, and generally milder than those of hemophilia A and B. We describe herewith 3 children with factor XI deficiency, who were found to have prolonged aPTT in routine laboratory studies, or in evaluation of intermittent epistaxis.
Blood Coagulation Factors ; Child ; Epistaxis ; Ethnic Groups ; Factor XI Deficiency* ; Factor XI* ; Hemophilia A ; Humans ; Jews

PURPOSE: Chronic blood transfusions result in excessive iron deposition leading to eventual tissue damage and impaired function of organs, such as the liver, spleen, pancreas, skin, thyroid, and heart. We evaluated the body iron status and endocrinopathy in repeatedly transfused patients with aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: Fourteen patients with AA who were transfused with more than 10 Units of packed RBC since 1996 were evaluated. We evaluated the correlation of amount of blood transfused with status of iron stores (determined by serum iron, TIBC, ferritin and transferrin saturation) and organ damage. RESULTS: Patients received a median of 61 units (range 11~168 units) of PRC. Twelve patients (85.7%) had elevated serum ferritin levels, and 11 (78.6%) had elevated transferrin saturation. Serum ferritin (P<0.01; r=0.868), and transferrin saturation (P<0.05; r=0.569) were significantly correlated with the amount of PRC transfused, respectively. Five patients had clinically significant iron overload despite the use of deferoxamine. Organ damage caused by transfusion iron overload were skin pigmentation (N=3), hepatic (N=1) and endocrinologic abnormalities. Diabetes (N=3), hypothyroidism (N=3), and hyogonadotropic hypogonadism (N=1) were observed. No patient developed clinically significant arthropathy or cardiac disease. CONCLUSION: AA patients who received chronic blood transfusions develop iron overload which may lead to endocrinopathy. Iron status and organ dysfunction should be monitored and effective measures to prevent iron overload should be applied in patients who need chronic transfusions.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Blood Transfusion ; Deferoxamine ; Ferritins ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Hemochromatosis* ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Hypothyroidism ; Iron ; Iron Overload ; Liver ; Pancreas ; Skin ; Skin Pigmentation ; Spleen ; Thyroid Gland ; Transferrin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP as surrogates of lead body burden and to investigate their association with renal function as an index of lead body burden. METHODS: The study subjects comprised 678 lead workers with past blood lead and blood ZPP data from their employment. Cumulative blood and ZPP were calculated by accumulating the every year mean value of both indices from the new employment since 1983. To assess the cumulative data of lead workers who started their lead work before 1983, the years before 1983 were simulated with the first available data from 1983. Study variables for lead body burden were tibia bone lead and DMSA chelatable lead, whereas those for current lead biomarkers were blood lead and blood ZPP. BUN and serum creatinine were selected as clinical renal biomarkers, while NAG (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) and RBP (Retinol binding protein) were selected as early renal biomarkers. RESULTS: The association between cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP with tibia bone lead was statistically significant with determinant coefficients (r(2)) of 0.72 and 0.567, respectively, and their relationships were better explained by the curvilinear regression model. In multiple regression analysis of current lead biomarkers on the renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), blood lead was associated only with log-transformed NAG, whereas blood ZPP was associated with 3 other renal biomarkers. On the other hand, in multiple regression analysis of biomarkers of lead body burden on renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), cumulative blood ZPP and tibia bone lead were associated with all 4 renal function biomarkers, whereas cumulative blood lead and DMSA chelatable lead were associated with 3 renal biomarkers except BUN. CONCLUSION: Cumulative blood and ZPP were demonstrated to be good surrogates of lead burden. Furthermore, the cumulative blood ZPP was confirmed to have a better association than the cumulative blood lead.
Biological Markers* ; Body Burden* ; Creatinine ; Drinking ; Employment ; Hand ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Succimer ; Tibia

An 8-year-old male was admitted because of dysphagia and substernal pain suffered while eating followed by postprandial vomiting for 2 years. He was always hungry due to postprandial vomiting and willing to eat again just after vomiting. After this meals, he used to jump up and down to shake off the substernal discomfort. A narrowing of the gastroesophageal junction was noted by esophagogram. Manometry revealed high Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (51.6mmHg), incomplete LES relaxation during swallowing, loss of esophageal peristalsis and a positive pressure of the esophageal body compared to intragastric pressure. After the 1st balloon dilatation, symptoms were much improved even though LES pressure still remained high (37.2mmHg). About 2 months after the 1st balloon dilatation, symptoms relapsed and we managed him with a 2nd balloon dilatation. Symptoms were more improved than after the 1st dilatation and LES pressure normalized as well. Since the 2nd dilatation, symptoms have not recurred for 3 years. We present an 8-year-old boy with achalasia successfully managed by the use balloon dilatation.
Child ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation* ; Eating ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Meals ; Peristalsis ; Relaxation ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play an important role in myocardial protection. We examined the effects of thromboxane A₂ on the regulation of K(ATP) channel activity in single ventricular myocytes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from the hearts of adult Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by enzymatic digestion. Single channel activity was recorded by excised inside-out and cell-attached patch clamp configurations at -60 mV holding potential during the perfusion of an ATP-free K-5 solution. RESULTS: In the excised inside-out patches, the thromboxane A₂ analog, U46619, decreased the K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner; however, the thromboxane A₂ receptor antagonist, SQ29548, did not significantly attenuate the inhibitory effect of U46619. In the cell-attached patches, U46619 inhibited dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner, and SQ29548 attenuated the inhibitory effects of U46619 on DNP-induced K(ATP) channel activity. CONCLUSION: Thromboxane A₂ may inhibit K(ATP) channel activity, and may have a harmful effect on ischemic myocardium.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adenosine* ; Adult ; Animals ; Digestion ; Heart ; Humans ; KATP Channels ; Mice* ; Muscle Cells* ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play an important role in myocardial protection. We examined the effects of thromboxane A₂ on the regulation of K(ATP) channel activity in single ventricular myocytes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from the hearts of adult Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by enzymatic digestion. Single channel activity was recorded by excised inside-out and cell-attached patch clamp configurations at -60 mV holding potential during the perfusion of an ATP-free K-5 solution. RESULTS: In the excised inside-out patches, the thromboxane A₂ analog, U46619, decreased the K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner; however, the thromboxane A₂ receptor antagonist, SQ29548, did not significantly attenuate the inhibitory effect of U46619. In the cell-attached patches, U46619 inhibited dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner, and SQ29548 attenuated the inhibitory effects of U46619 on DNP-induced K(ATP) channel activity. CONCLUSION: Thromboxane A₂ may inhibit K(ATP) channel activity, and may have a harmful effect on ischemic myocardium.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adenosine* ; Adult ; Animals ; Digestion ; Heart ; Humans ; KATP Channels ; Mice* ; Muscle Cells* ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium*

PURPOSE: We compared the underlying or associated diseases according to the frequency of platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia to know the factors predicting which patients will require multiple platelet transfusions. We also compared mortality. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 72 neonates who received the platelet transfusions in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) between August 1996 and July 2001. Group I received one platelet transfusion and group II received two or more. We compared the frequency of underlying or assodiated diseases such as sepsis/disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(DIC), respiratory distress syndrome(RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC), liver or renal disease, and mortality between two groups. RESULTS: Of the 72 patients, 29(40.2%) received one and 43(59.7%) received two or more transfusions; 16(22.2%) received four or more. There were no statistically significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, and maternal history between two groups. C-section rate was higher in group II(20.7% vs. 55.8%, P<0.05) and the incidence of PDA was higher in group I (55.2% vs. 30.2%, P<0.05). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of sepsis/DIC, RDS, IVH, RDS, CLD, NEC, liver or renal disease, pulmonary hemorrhage and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and mortality between group I and group II. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in clinical morbidity and mortality according to the frequency of platelet transfusion in neonates with thrombocytopenia. Further study is needed to know the predicting factor for multiple platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia.
Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets* ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Liver ; Lung Diseases ; Mortality ; Platelet Transfusion* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombocytopenia*