PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the effect of the solution temperature on the mechanical properties of dualcure resin cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the study, five dual-cure resin cements were chosen and light cured. To evaluate the effect of temperature on the specimens, the light-cured specimens were immersed in deionized water at three different temperatures (4, 37 and 60degrees C) for 7 days. The control specimens were aged in a 37degrees C dry and dark chamber for 24 hours. The mechanical properties of the light-cured specimens were evaluated using the Vickers hardness test, three-point bending test, and compression test, respectively. Both flexural and compressive properties were evaluated using a universal testing machine. The data were analyzed using a two way ANOVA with Tukey test to perform multiple comparisons (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: After immersion, the specimens showed significantly different microhardness, flexural, and compressive properties compared to the control case regardless of solution temperatures. Depending on the resin brand, the microhardness difference between the top and bottom surfaces ranged approximately 3.3-12.2%. Among the specimens, BisCem and Calibra showed the highest and lowest decrease of flexural strength, respectively. Also, Calibra and Multilink Automix showed the highest and lowest decrease of compressive strength, respectively compared to the control case. CONCLUSION: The examined dual-cure resin cements had compatible flexural and compressive properties with most methacrylate-based composite resins and the underlying dentin regardless of solution temperature. However, the effect of the solution temperature on the mechanical properties was not consistent and depended more on the resin brand.
Aged ; Androsterone ; Collodion ; Composite Resins ; Compressive Strength ; Dentin ; Hardness Tests ; Humans ; Immersion ; Light ; Resin Cements ; Water

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of menopause and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level and estradiol (E2) in Korean women with breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed 1,404 women aged from 20- to 82-year-old (median 47 years) with breast cancer who had got surgery at Asan Medical Center in 2008. All patients were checked serum FSH before the operation. Three hundred fifty-three patients were in postmenopause state at the time of surgery. Their ages were from 40- to 60-year-old (median 50.3 years). RESULTS: The proportion of postmenopausal status in each age-group were 5.1% (45- to 49-year-old), 41% (50- to 54-year-old), 86.1% (55- to 59-year-old), and 100% over the age of 60, respectively. And the proportion of the patients with FSH over 30 mUI/mL were 68.6% (45- to 49-year-old), 87.5% (55- to 59-year-old), 75.0% (55- to 59-year-old) and 30.0% (over the age of 60), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that even though patients had been in amenorrhea over 1 year, not all patients have their FSH level over 30 mUI/mL. And this finding is more prominent in age group from 45- to 49-year-old.
Female ; Humans ; Breast Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To describe the radiographic findings of primary pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in previously healthy adolescent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study, with a waiver of informed consent from the patients. TB outbreaks occurred in 15 senior high schools and chest radiographs from 58 students with identical strains of TB were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis by two independent observers. Lesions of nodule(s), consolidation, or cavitation in the upper lung zones were classified as typical TB. Mediastinal lymph node enlargement; lesions of nodule(s), consolidation, or cavitation in lower lung zones; or pleural effusion were classified as atypical TB. Inter-observer agreement for the presence of each radiographic finding was examined by kappa statistics. RESULTS: Of 58 patients, three (5%) had normal chest radiographs. Cavitary lesions were present in 25 (45%) of 55 students. Lesions with upper lung zone predominance were observed in 27 (49%) patients, whereas lower lung zone predominance was noted in 18 (33%) patients. The remaining 10 (18%) patients had lesions in both upper and lower lung zones. Pleural effusion was not observed in any patient, nor was the mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Hilar lymph node enlargement was seen in only one (2%) patient. Overall, 37 (67%) students had the typical form of TB, whereas 18 (33%) had TB lesions of the atypical form. CONCLUSION: The most common radiographic findings in primary pulmonary TB by recent infection in previously healthy adolescents are upper lung lesions, which were thought to be radiographic findings of reactivation pulmonary TB by remote infection.
Adolescent ; *Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; *Radiography, Thoracic ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Schools ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiology/*radiography

Oxidative stress plays various roles in the development and progression of IgA nephropathy, while bilirubin is known as a potent antioxidant. We therefore hypothesized that serum bilirubin would be associated with renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy. The study subjects comprised 1,458 adult patients with primary IgA nephropathy in Korea. We grouped patients according to the following quartile levels of bilirubin: <0.4 mg/dL (Q1), 0.4-0.5 mg/dL (Q2), 0.6-0.7 mg/dL (Q3), and >0.8 mg/dL (Q4). The outcome data were obtained from the Korean Registry of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Eighty patients (5.5%) contracted ESRD during a mean follow-up period of 44.9 months. The ESRD incidences were 10.7% in Q1, 8.2% in Q2, 2.8% in Q3, and 2.8% in Q4 (p<0.001). The relative risk of ESRD compared to that in Q1 was 0.307 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.126-0.751) in Q3 and 0.315 (95% CI, 0.130-0.765) in Q4. The differences of ESRD incidence were greater in subgroups of males and of patients aged 35 yr or more, with serum albumin 4.0 g/dL or more, with normotension, with eGFR 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or more, and with proteinuria less then 3+ by dipstick test. In conclusion, higher bilirubin level was negatively associated with ESRD incidence in IgA nephropathy.
Adult ; Bilirubin/*blood ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/*blood/complications ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*blood/complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Tick paralysis is caused by a neurotoxin secreted by female tick. Characteristic initial manifestation is bilateral flaccid ascending paralysis similar to Guillain-Barr? syndrome. The predominant electrophysiological abnormality is a reduction in complex muscle action potentials. Here, we present a 62-year-old man who initially experienced a sudden biting pain on his scalp. Subsequently he developed bilateral lower extremity paralysis that ascended symmetrically involving the upper extremities. Within 2 weeks, the patient showed a full recovery without treatment.
Action Potentials ; Bites and Stings ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Paralysis ; Scalp ; Tick Paralysis ; Ticks ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness and compliance of a hospital-based tabletop exercise in setting of pandemic influenza in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tabletop exercise was held in Pusan National University Hospital and forty two hospital employees were invited to participate in the exercise. The scenario for hospital-based tabletop exercise was designed. It consisted of three modules, which simulated the influx and outbreak of H5N1 influenza that was epidemic in Southeast Asia. Pre-, post-exercise surveys were completed by anonymous questions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (88%) of 42 invited participants attended exercise. All members of the administration group and the ancillary services group participated. But, only 77% members of the clinical services group participated. In pre-exercise survey, priorities of eight goals regarding skills and knowledge during exercise were inquired., The highest priorities pointed out by the respondents were "Increase the knowledge of pandemic influenza" (22%), "Development of strategies for optimal communication among employees within specific department" (19%) and "Development of strategies for improved coordination between facilities within the health system" (19%). Twenty-one (57%) of participants completed the post-exercise surveys. At post-exercise surveys, 81% of the participants stated that the tabletop exercise was extremely or very useful, 86% of the participants also stated that it increased their knowledge of pandemic influenza. CONCLUSION: Tabletop exercise is an effective modality for increasing pandemic influenza preparedness in hospitals, and this method is useful for guiding preparedness activities within the hospital environment. Further studies to determine the appropriate method of discussion, questionnaire, duration of exercise and injection are needed.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Asia, Southeastern ; Compliance ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness and compliance of a hospital-based tabletop exercise in setting of pandemic influenza in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tabletop exercise was held in Pusan National University Hospital and forty two hospital employees were invited to participate in the exercise. The scenario for hospital-based tabletop exercise was designed. It consisted of three modules, which simulated the influx and outbreak of H5N1 influenza that was epidemic in Southeast Asia. Pre-, post-exercise surveys were completed by anonymous questions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (88%) of 42 invited participants attended exercise. All members of the administration group and the ancillary services group participated. But, only 77% members of the clinical services group participated. In pre-exercise survey, priorities of eight goals regarding skills and knowledge during exercise were inquired., The highest priorities pointed out by the respondents were "Increase the knowledge of pandemic influenza" (22%), "Development of strategies for optimal communication among employees within specific department" (19%) and "Development of strategies for improved coordination between facilities within the health system" (19%). Twenty-one (57%) of participants completed the post-exercise surveys. At post-exercise surveys, 81% of the participants stated that the tabletop exercise was extremely or very useful, 86% of the participants also stated that it increased their knowledge of pandemic influenza. CONCLUSION: Tabletop exercise is an effective modality for increasing pandemic influenza preparedness in hospitals, and this method is useful for guiding preparedness activities within the hospital environment. Further studies to determine the appropriate method of discussion, questionnaire, duration of exercise and injection are needed.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Asia, Southeastern ; Compliance ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The availability of living donors is the major limiting factor in living related kidney transplantion. In 1997, Ross et al. proposed that the living unrelated kidney transplantation through exchange arrangement of ABO-incompatible donors-recipient pairs to expand donor pool is ethically acceptable as living related kidney transplantation. We analyzed exchange donor program whether this could expand the kidney donor pool in living donor renal transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of the 121 exchange donor renal transplantations performed from 1991 to 2005 in our center. Recipient's and donor's mean age were 38.8 (15~64) and 40.4 (21~60) year-old, respectively. Mean follow up period is 81 months (1~170). The reasons of exchanging donor were ABO incompatibility (92/121, 76%), positive HLA cross matching (20/121, 16%) and patients who received kidneys from unknown volunteer donors (9/121, 7%). We compared graft survival and acute rejection rate of exchange donor group and living related donor group. RESULTS: The graft survival rate (1, 5, 10 year) of exchange donor group (92%, 80.6%, 72%) was similar to living related donor groups (95%, 77%, 66%). The acute rejection rate were 34% (42/121 ) and 24%, respectively. We have observed acute rejections during the same time in both groups from 1991 to 2005. Although acute rejection rate of exchange donor group is higher, we see the similar survival rate of transplanted kidneys in exchange donor group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that exchange donor program could expand the donor pool in living donor renal transplantation, when recipient cannot receive kidney from healthy donor because of ABO incompatibility or positive HLA cross matching.
Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Living Donors ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors* ; Volunteers

Mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is the most commom ovarian germ cell tumor and almost benign. Malignant transformation occurs in less than 2% of benign mature teratoma. Squamous cell carcinoma derived from ectoderm is the most frequent malignancy. Prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma in ovarian mature teratoma is generally poor but there is no consensus on optimal thrapy. We report one case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma with a brief review of the literature.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Consensus ; Ectoderm ; Female ; Hydronephrosis* ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell* ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Teratoma* ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction*

PURPOSE: The aims of this study are to compare the results of renal retransplantation and the first renal transplantation in our center, and to analyze the risk factor affecting second graft survival rate. METHODS: We analyzed 37 cases of second or third renal transplantations performed in our center from 1981 to 2005, retrospectively. We compared the second graft survival rate with the first graft survival rate. And risk factors affecting long-term second graft survival were also analyzed. RESULTS: 37 cases of retransplantation out of 277 cases of first graft loss were performed in our center (5%). Second graft survival rates (1, 5, 10 year) were 83.7, 66.5, 49.9%, while first graft survival rates were 90.0, 74.8, 59.1%, repectively. Risk factors which shows significance were high HLA-AB matching, living donor and absence of DGF. CONCLUSION: The graft survival rates of second renal transplantation were similar to that of first renal transplantantation.
Graft Survival ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Transplants