The confirmatory diagnosis of Moyamoya disease has been obtained by invasive angiographic examination. We report the results of MRI and transcranial doppler sonography of three cases ol Moyamoya disease, which ws disgnosed by clinical and angiography. We think that the diagnosis of Moyamoya disease can be made by noninvasive MRI and transcranial doppler sonography without conventional invasive angiography.
Angiography ; Diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial*

PURPOSE: Dental trauma is frequently unpredictable. The initial assessment and urgent treatment are essential for dentists to save the patient's teeth. Mobile-phone-assisted teleconsultation and telediagnosis for dental trauma could be an aid when a dentist is not available. In the present in-vitro study, we evaluated the success rate and time to transfer images under various conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the image quality of cameras built into mobile phones based on their resolution, autofocus, white-balance, and anti-movement functions. RESULTS: The image quality of most built-in cameras was acceptable to perform the initial assessment, with the autofocus function being essential to obtain high-quality images. The transmission failure rate increased markedly when the image size exceeded 500 kappaB and the additional text messaging did not improve the success rate or the transmission time. CONCLUSION: Our optimal protocol could be useful for emergency programs running on the mobile phones.
Cellular Phone ; Dentists ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Remote Consultation ; Running ; Text Messaging ; Tooth ; Tooth Injuries

Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare disorder that often accompanies facial hemiatrophy and is characterized by spasm in one or more of the jaw-closing muslces supplied by the fifth cranial nerve. We report a clinical and electrophysiological observation of a patient of hemimasticatory spasm, who presented involuntary spasm on masseter muscle and hemiatrophy of the face on the right side for 7 years.
Facial Hemiatrophy ; Humans ; Masseter Muscle ; Spasm* ; Trigeminal Nerve

BACKGROUND: Cognitive intervention (CI) is a nonpharmacological approach used to compensate for cognitive impairment. It is categorized into cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation. Several studies showed that CI could induce cognitive enhancement and reduction of risk for future cognitive decline in patients with brain injury. We investigated effects of CI on cognitive functions and brain glucose metabolism based on serial cognitive assessments and [18F]-Fluorodexoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in a patient with carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. METHODS: A 40-year-old man presented with memory impairment and abnormal behaviors such as apathy, indifference, and perseveration 2-month after CO intoxication. Brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) demonstrated high signal changes in the bilateral basal ganglia, hippocampus and the subcortical white matter on T2 weighted images. FDG-PET also showed glucose hypometabolism in the bilateral hippocampus, basal ganglia, and the subcortical white matter. A detailed neuropsychological evaluation revealed multiple cognitive impairments in memory, language and frontal functions. He received twice a week sessions of 60-minute group-based cognitive intervention for 12 weeks. Several neuropsychological examinations and FDG-PETs were conducted at baseline and after CI. RESULTS: After CI, he showed improvements in memory and frontal functions compared with baseline performances. These cognitive improvements persisted by the 7-month follow-up. The extent of glucose hypometabolism was decreased 1-month after CI, however increased 8-month after CI. CONCLUSIONS: This case study suggested that CI could enhance cognitive functions and improve glucose metabolism in a patient with CO intoxication. Also, the effects of CI on cognitive functions seem to be last at least 7-month after training.
Adult ; Apathy ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Memory ; Metabolism ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neuropsychology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Rehabilitation

The original version of this article contained wrong information of an author which should be changed.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between different subtypes and disease progression or prognosis in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Since a localized injury often produces more focal signs than a diffuse injury, we hypothesized that the clinical characteristics differ between patients with bvFTD who show diffuse frontal lobe atrophy (D-type) on axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans versus those with focal or circumscribed frontal lobe atrophy (F-type). METHODS: In total, 94 MRI scans (74 scans from bvFTD and 20 scans from age-matched normal controls) were classified into 35 D- and 39 F-type bvFTD cases based on an axial MRI visual rating scale. We compared baseline clinical characteristics, progression in motor and cognitive symptoms, and survival times between D- and F-types. Survival analyses were performed for 62 of the 74 patients. RESULTS: While D-type performed better on neuropsychological tests than F-type at baseline, D-type had higher baseline scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III. Evaluations of motor progression showed that the disease duration with motor symptoms was shorter in D-type than F-type. Moreover, the survival time was shorter in D-type (6.9 years) than F-type (9.4 years). Cox regression analyses revealed that a high UPDRS Part III score at baseline contributed to an increased risk of mortality, regardless of the pattern of atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis is worse for D-type than for those with F-type. Shorter survival in D-type may be associated with the earlier appearance of motor symptoms.
Atrophy* ; Disease Progression ; Frontal Lobe ; Frontotemporal Dementia* ; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Parkinson Disease ; Prognosis*

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection occurs throughout the world and causes various gastroduodenal diseases in all age groups. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies among countries and races. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in healthy people in Korea. METHODS: From March 1998 to October 1998, 5,732 asymptomatic subjects responded to the self-assessment questionnaires from 54 hospitals were enrolled. Serum level of anti-H. pylori IgG was measured by ELISA test. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6% and showed no significant difference between male (47.2%) and female (45.9%). According to the geographic areas, the highly prevalent provinces were Kangwon (53.4%), Cheju (52.9%) and Jeonra provinces (50.6%), while Seoul (41.9%) was the lowest prevalent area. The seroprevalence increased with age and was the highest at 40's (78.5%). The characteristic feature of this study was that the infection rate increased steeply in three age groups (10-12, 16-19 years old and 30's). In Seoul, there was no different prevalence rate among the districts studied. CONCLUSION: The nation-wide seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in Korea is higher than that of the developed countries. We hope that this study provides the landmark for the study of H. pylori infection in Korea.
Continental Population Groups ; Developed Countries ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Hope ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Jeju-do ; Korea* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Self-Assessment ; Seoul ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA is a newly developed diagnostic method which detects serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in Korean population. METHODS: GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA and GAP-IgG were performed in 353 adult sera and Pyloriset-IgG EIA in 184 subjects. In children, 43 serum samples were tested with GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA. H. pylori infection was determined by rapid urease test, histology, culture or 13C-urea breath test in adults. In children, the subject was considered to be H. pylori positive if 13C-urea breath test was positive. RESULTS: In adults, the sensitivity and specificity of GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA were 93.2% and 83.5% with positive and negative predictive values of 85.1% and 92.5%. Those for GAP-IgG and Pyloriset-IgG EIA were 67.2%, 82.4%, 79.3%, 71.4% and 89.1%, 88.4%, 71.9%, 96.1%, respectively. In children, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA were 80%, 84.8%, 61.5%, and 93.3%. Sensitivity and negative predictive value of GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA were significantly higher than those of GAP-IgG (93.2% vs. 67.2%; plt;0.005 and 92.5% vs 71.4%; p<0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA is a relatively accurate method for the serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection in Korean subjects compared to GAP-IgG. These results may suggest the clinical use of GenediaTM H. pylori ELISA for epidemiological studies of H. pylori infection in Korea.
Adult ; Breath Tests ; Child ; Diagnosis* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests ; Urease

In a search for effective PPAR-γ agonists, 110 clinical drugs were screened via molecular docking, and 9 drugs, including parecoxib, were selected for subsequent biological evaluation. Molecular docking of parecoxib to the ligand-binding domain of PPAR-γ showed high binding affinity and relevant binding conformation compared with the PPAR-γ ligand/antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone. Per the docking result, parecoxib showed the best PPAR-γ transactivation in Ac2F rat liver cells. Further docking simulation and a luciferase assay suggested parecoxib would be a selective (and partial) PPAR-γ agonist. PPAR-γ activation by parecoxib induced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes. Parecoxib promoted adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced the expression of adipogenesis transcription factors PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ. These data indicated that parecoxib might be utilized as a partial PPAR-γ agonist for drug repositioning study.

In a search for effective PPAR-γ agonists, 110 clinical drugs were screened via molecular docking, and 9 drugs, including parecoxib, were selected for subsequent biological evaluation. Molecular docking of parecoxib to the ligand-binding domain of PPAR-γ showed high binding affinity and relevant binding conformation compared with the PPAR-γ ligand/antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone. Per the docking result, parecoxib showed the best PPAR-γ transactivation in Ac2F rat liver cells. Further docking simulation and a luciferase assay suggested parecoxib would be a selective (and partial) PPAR-γ agonist. PPAR-γ activation by parecoxib induced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes. Parecoxib promoted adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced the expression of adipogenesis transcription factors PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ. These data indicated that parecoxib might be utilized as a partial PPAR-γ agonist for drug repositioning study.