BACKGROUND: It was known that the prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Korea was below 5% and there were few epidemiological data on feflux esophagitis in Korea. It was reported that the associated factors of reflux exophagitis were sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, drugs, exercise, diet habits, but the nuvber of systematic studies on these factors was small. Thus, we studied to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of reflux esophagitis in Korea. METHODS: We examined 5,487 subjects (male 3,450, female 2,037, age;18082 year) visting health promotion center for routine check-up including esophagogastroduodenoscopy. All of them were given a questionnaire about past medical history, use of drugs, smoking, alcohol consumption, social history, diet habits. We recruited 275 cases with reflux esophagitis and 550 controls without refoux esophagitis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We estimated the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and performed retrospectively a cross-sectional study to evaluate the associated factors of reflux esophagitis. RESULTS: The prevalence of reflux esophagitis was 5.01%, 7.10% in male, 1.47% in female. The prevalence in male was significantly higher than that in female (p<0.05). The associated factors of reflux esophagitis were smoking, alcohol consumption, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride(p<0.05). It was investigated that the cases with reflux esophagitis in relation to diet habits ate more frequently fried foods in oil, Chinese dishes than controls(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of reflux esophagitis in routine check-up subjects was 5.01%. The associated factors of refoux esophagitis were smoking, alcohol consumption, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride.
Alcohol Drinking ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Female ; Food Habits ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Obesity ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Spinal fixation using pedicle screws has recently been the focus of increased attention, but the adequate size of pedicle screw and maximum percentage fill as related to the pedicle diameter and are not well known. The objects of this study were to determine the ideal ratio among pedicle, drill and screw diameter, and to determine the maximum percentage fill of the screw without significant decrease of pull-out strength. The materials used for the experiments were 376 thoracic pedicles obtained from the 38 young pigs, and the diameters of pedicles ranged from 3.0 to 8.5mm. After 40% to 100% drilling as compared to pedicle diameter, screws were inserted carefully, and measurements were taken of the outer pedicle changes and pull-out strengths, and adequate drill and screw sizes as related to the diameters of given pedicles were determined. It was found that pull-out strength was the strongest after 60% drill, and the larger the drill diameter, the smaller the holding power, and the larger the screw diameter, the greater the holding power. Maximum pull-out strength was seen at 80-90% fill with 60% drill. After sequentially drilling each pedicle with increasingly larger drill bits, larger screws could be inserted with pedicle changes such as expansion, cutout, split fracture, and comminuted fracture. after larger drilling up to 100%, pedicle screws with diameters smaller than 115% of measured pedicle diameters could be safly inserted without fracture and significant decrease of pull-out strength. It is concluded that effective percentages of drill and screw diameters to the pedicle diameter are 60% and 80-90% respectively, and pedicle screw up to 115% of measured pedicle diameter can be safely inserted into pedicle without significant decrease of pull-out strength. It is thought that fresh pedicle has elasticity and larger screw can be inserted to the pedicle with strong holding after larger drilling.
Elasticity ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Pedicle Screws ; Swine

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

No abstract available.
Placenta Previa* ; Placenta*

PURPOSE: There have been some studies on the hazardous effects of air pollution for patients with cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the possible relationship between air pollution and development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS: The medical records of 109 acute coronary syndrome patients, who visited two university hospital emergency rooms in the Seoul area between January 1999 and July 2001, were reviewed. Hourly concentrations of particulate mass < 10 micrometa and of four gaseous air pollutants were measured at 19 different points in the Seoul area. The data were analyzed using a case-crossover approach. RESULTS: The analysis of the data showed no definite relationship between chest pain development and either the concentrations of particulate mass < 10 micrometa (PM10) or of four gaseous air pollutants: namely, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide ( SO2). However, increases in the concentrations of particulate matter, gaseous NO2, and gaseous O3 showed a positive correlation, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study shows no relationship between the concentrations of PM10 and other air pollutants with the development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients. However, for particulate mass < 2.5 micrometa, which is currently not measured in the Seoul area, the possibility of a relationship between development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients and particulate air pollutants still exists.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution* ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chest Pain* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Ozone ; Particulate Matter ; Seoul* ; Sulfur Dioxide ; Thorax*

OBJECTIVE: To delineate whether cortical plasticity induced by continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) differed according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in healthy older adults. METHODS: Eighteen healthy older volunteers (mean age 73.78+/-5.04; 12 females and 6 males) were recruited. Volunteers randomly assigned in either a sham-first or real cTBS first group participated in two separate TMS visits with at least a 2-day wash-out period. Genotyping was carried out at baseline by a separate researcher who was blinded. cTBS was delivered in a hot spot over M1 at an active motor threshold of 80%. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were obtained at 120% of the resting motor threshold before and after sham/cTBS. RESULTS: The relative MEP to baseline was significantly decreased 0 and 10 minutes post-stimulation and increased 40 minutes post-stimulation, as compared with the sham condition. Immediately after cTBS, the Val/Val group had a significantly reduced relative MEP value, as compared with the MET carrier group. CONCLUSION: In healthy older persons, cTBS-induced motor plasticity was reduced in the COMT Val/Val group as compared with the 158Met carrier group.
Adult ; Aged* ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Female ; Humans ; Motor Cortex ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Plastics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: Secretion of angiogenic factors from tumor cells is know to play an important role in neo-vascularization and metastasis. However, which angiogenic factor is related with the formation of neo-vasculature in gastric carcinomas is not well known. This study was performed to observe changes in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase (COX), and nitric- oxide synthase (NOS). METHODS: Expressions of VEGF, COX, and NOS in thirty specimens resected from patients with a gastric carcinoma were investigated using the western blot method. Cultured MKN28 gastric cancer cells were treated with 100 ng/ml VEGF, and changes in the expression of COX and NOS were examined. Changes in VEGF expression were also investigated after treatment of the cells with inhibitors of COX and NOS. RESULTS: Expressions of VEGF, COX, and eNOS were increased up to 10, 60, and 30%, respectively, in tumors compared to surrounding normal tissues. VEGF-positive tumors showed a higher expression of COX-2. Human recombinant VEGF induced the expression of COX-2, but not eNOS, in the cultured MKN28 cells. The increase in expression was blocked with actinomycin D, the VEGF antibody, and anti-VEGF peptide. VEGF-induced expression of COX-2 was also blocked by pretreatment of cells with aspirin and indomethacin, suggesting that these anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit VEGF. The expression of eNOS was decreased by indomethacin in VEGF-treated cells, but COX-2 expression was not affected by inhibitors of NO production, N-arginine methylester (NAME). However, the protein level of VEGF was increased by indomethacin and NAME. CONCLUSION: This study showed that COX-2 and eNOS in gastric carcinomas seem to play an important role in the production of VEGF and that their expressions may also be affected by VEGF.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents* ; Aspirin ; Blotting, Western ; Dactinomycin ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare a negative pressure drain with a natural drain in order to determine whether a negative pressure drainage tube causes an increase in the drainage volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were enrolled in the study between March 2010 and August 2010 at Gyeongsang National University Hospital. The patients were prospectively and randomly assigned to two groups, a negative pressure drainage group (n=32) and natural drainage group (n=30). Every 3 hours, the volume of drainage was checked in the two groups until the tube was removed. RESULTS: The amount of drainage during the first 24 hours postoperatively was 41.68+/-3.93 mL in the negative drain group and 25.3+/-2.68 mL in the natural drain group (p<0.001). After 24 additional hours, the negative drain group was 35.19+/-4.26 mL and natural drain groups 21.53+/-2.90 mL (p<0.001). However, the drainage at postoperative day 3 was not statistically different between the two groups. In addition, the vocal cord palsy and temporary and permanent hypocalcemia were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a negative pressure drain may increase the amount of drainage during the first 24-48 hours postoperatively. Therefore, it is not necessary to place a closed suction drain when only a total thyroidectomy is done.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma/*surgery ; Drainage/*instrumentation/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care/methods ; Postoperative Complications/surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*surgery ; Thyroidectomy/*instrumentation/*methods ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy in erosive reflux disease (ERD) patients by comparing endoscopic healing rates according to the Los Angeles classification for esomeprazole alone, and esomeprazole plus mosapride. METHODS: A total of 116 ERD patients were randomized to receive esomeprazole 40 mg once daily plus mosapride 5 mg 3 times daily (E+M group), or esomeprazole plus placebo (E only group) for 8 weeks. Patients recorded gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom questionnaire at weeks 4 and 8. The primary endpoint was the endoscopic healing rate of ERD after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Endoscopic healing rates according to the Los Angeles classification was 32 (66.7%) in the E+M group and 26 (60.5%) in the E only group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Only at 4 weeks, the total GERD symptom score changes relative to the baseline significantly improved in the E+M group than that of the E only group (−13.4 ± 14.7 vs −8.0 ± 12.3, P = 0.041), and upper abdominal pain and belching score changes showed significantly improved in the E+M group than that of the E only group (P = 0.018 and P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a proton pump inhibitor with mosapride shows a tendency for upper abdominal pain, belching, and total GERD symptoms scores to improve more rapidly. This suggests that combination therapy with esomeprazole and mosapride will be useful for rapid improvement of specific GERD symptoms, such as upper abdominal pain and belching in ERD patients.
Abdominal Pain ; Classification ; Eructation ; Esomeprazole* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps