PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide pretreatment and heat activation of silane on the shear bond strength of fiber-reinforced composite posts to resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The specimens were prepared to evaluate the bond strength of epoxy resin-based fiber posts (D.T. Light-Post) to dual-curing resin cement (RelyX U200). The specimens were divided into four groups (n=18) according to different surface treatments: group 1, no treatment; group 2, silanization; group 3, silanization after hydrogen peroxide etching; group 4, silanization with warm drying at 80℃ after hydrogen peroxide etching. After storage of the specimens in distilled water at 37℃ for 24 hours, the shear bond strength (in MPa) between the fiber post and resin cement was measured using a universal testing machine. The fractured surface of the fiber post was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis with Tukey's HSD test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Silanization of the fiber post (Group 2) significantly increased the bond strength in comparison with the non treated control (Group 1) (P<.05). Heat drying after silanization also significantly increased the bond strength (Group 3 and 4) (P<.05). However, no effect was determined for hydrogen peroxide etching before applying silane agent (Group 2 and 3) (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Fiber post silanization and subsequent heat treatment (80℃) with warm air blower can be beneficial in clinical post cementation. However, hydrogen peroxide etching prior to silanization was not effective in this study.
Cementation ; Hot Temperature* ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Resin Cements* ; Shear Strength ; Water

PURPOSE: We aim to compare clinical severity of atopic and non-atopic eczema in children and examine the relationship between total-IgE, eosinophil counts, Eosinophil, Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and clinical severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: A total of 271 children diagnosed with AD at the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital from October 2005 to March 2008 were enrolled for this study and divided into 2 groups: atopic and non-atopic eczema. Serum concentrations of total- and specific-IgE, eosinophil counts and ECP were measured. Allergy skin tests were also performed and the SCORAD index was used to evaluate clinical severity. Comparisons the SCORAD index and serum total-IgE, eosinophil count and ECP between the 2 groups were made. RESULTS: Of the 271 patients, 162 (59.8%) were included in the atopic eczema group, while 109 (40.2%) were included in the non-atopic group according to the laboratory results. Serum total- IgE, eosinophil counts, ECP, the SCORAD index and the frequency of a family history of eczema were relatively higher in the atopic group. In the atopic group, serum total-IgE, eosinophil counts and ECP each had a statistically significant correlation with the SCORAD index with eosinophil counts showing the highest correlation. However, only eosinophil counts had a statistically significant correlation with the SCORAD index in the non-atopic group. CONCLUSION: Serum total-IgE, eosinophil counts, and ECP can be used as markers for clinical severity in patients with atopic eczema, while eosinophil counts be used as marker for clinical severity in those with non-atopic eczema.
Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Respiratory Center ; Skin Tests

This study aimed to develop a short version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) core set and verify functioning levels of patients for stroke rehabilitation in Korea. Using the Delphi technique, a 3-round consensus process was conducted. Thirty multidisciplinary rehabilitation experts from different hospitals completed the consensus study. The questionnaire for this study adopted the comprehensive ICF core set for stroke developed by the Geyh group. A 7-point Likert-type scale was used by participants to weigh the impact of each category on activities of daily living or rehabilitation after a stroke. The consensus of ratings was assessed with Spearman's rho and inter-quartile range indices. A core set to assess functioning levels of patients with stroke was developed from those categories. A short version of ICF core set to assess and verify functioning levels of patients with stroke was developed for 12 categories, including 3 categories (consciousness, muscle power, and attention) from body functions, 1 (structure of brain) from body structures, 5 (eating, walking, moving around, changing basic body position, and carrying out daily routine) from activities and participation, and 3 (individual attitudes of immediate family members, immediate family, and personal care providers/personal assistants) from environmental factors. This preliminary study developed a Delphi consensus process, gathering statistical evidence and expert commands based on the short version of ICF core set for rehabilitation of stroke patients in Korea.

No abstract available.
Finasteride* ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), particularly non-acid reflux, is common in infants and is a known cause of chronic respiratory symptoms in infancy. Recent guidelines recommended empirical acid suppression therapy and the head-up position in patients with suspected GER. However, the efficacy of the upright position in relieving GER and reflux-related respiratory symptoms in infants is unclear. We conducted this study to investigate the efficacy of the upright position on GER and reflux-related respiratory symptoms in infants with chronic respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Thirty-two infants (21 male; median age, 5 months; range, 0 to 19 months) with unexplained chronic respiratory symptoms underwent multi-channel intraluminal esophageal impedance and pH monitoring. We retrospectively compared the frequencies of GER and reflux-related symptoms according to body position. RESULTS: A mean of 3.30 episodes of reflux per hour was detected. Overall, refluxes were more frequent during the postprandial period than the emptying period (3.77 vs. 2.79 episodes/hour, respectively; P=0.01). Although there was no significant difference in the total refluxes per hour between the upright and recumbent positions (6.12 vs. 3.77 episodes, P=0.10), reflux-related respiratory symptoms per reflux were significantly fewer in infants kept in an upright position than in a recumbent position during the postprandial period (3.07% vs. 14.75%, P=0.016). Non-acid reflux was the predominant type of reflux in infants, regardless of body position or meal time. CONCLUSIONS: The upright position may reduce reflux-related respiratory symptoms, rather than reflux frequency. Thus, it may be a useful non-pharmacological treatment for infantile GER disease resistant to acid suppressants.
Electric Impedance ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Meals ; Postprandial Period ; Retrospective Studies

In this article (J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30: 644-50), one author's name is misspelled. Correct Sung-Hun Im into Seong Hoon Lim.

Bone Regeneration ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dental Implants ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Pilot Projects ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of unproven complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) to treat allergies is popular in Korea. We conducted a multicenter survey of the current use of CAM other than herbal medication in Korean allergy patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 510 adults with allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria, from ten hospitals. They underwent a structured questionnaire interview and clinical assessment of the prevalence, motivation, costs, and subjective assessment of CAM. RESULTS: Of the patients, 16.7% used at least one type of CAM to treat their allergic diseases. Common types of CAM were diet (48.6%), aroma therapy (23.8%), massage (14.3%), breathing exercises (7.6%), baths (5.7%), and mind control (5.7%). The therapeutic effects of CAM included "improved" in patients using mind control (50%), diet (50%), breathing exercises (75%), and baths (33.3%), but "worse" in patients using aroma therapy (28%), and massage (26.7%). About 36.4% of the patients used CAM more than four times per year, and the average cost per CAM user was 370,000 won/year. The main reason for trying CAM was 'hope to improve my constitution'. CONCLUSIONS: CAM is used widely for treating allergic diseases in Korea. Detailed knowledge of CAM and patient education are important. Further studies of the clinical efficacy of CAM are needed.
Adult ; Aromatherapy ; Asthma ; Baths ; Breathing Exercises ; Complementary Therapies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Massage ; Motivation ; Patient Education as Topic ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Urticaria ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.