PURPOSE: The study was designed to identify how different types of transfer student personality would be constituted in Seoul National University School of Dentistry (SNU SD) and delve into what personal types were often observed more competent in academic performance. METHODS: Among 40 students who transferred to SNU SD in 2004, 15 students voluntarily participated in completing the Myers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI; GS form); then, it was tested whether or not their MBTI types would be dependent upon their final grades. In addition, another 32 out of the 50 students who were enrolled through a traditional pre-den system served as a control group. RESULTS: It was mainly found that ISTJ type was the most typical one for those transfer dental students as well as for other native dental students who excelled in their academic performance. The noticeable majority of transfer students were Introverted (67%), Sensing (80%), Thinking (86%), and Judging (80%), with S-J pattern being statistically significant. CONCLUSION: SNU SD has been in a rebuilding process in terms of student/outcome centered dental education to have it up to the global standards. For this reason, it is ultimately a crucial part of that process to understand what personality types of the dental students with different backgrounds in major are observed and thus recognize how to support their learning according to different patterns of individual personality.
Dentistry ; Education, Dental ; Humans ; Learning ; Personality Inventory ; Schools, Dental ; Students, Dental ; Thinking

PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the personality types of the graduate students in Seoul National University School of Dentistry (SNU SD) and analyze the specific personal types that were linked to their performance in problem-based learning (PBL). METHODS: A total of 263 graduate students in SNU SD from 2011 to 2013, participated in PBL and completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) GS form, which was analyzed statistically to determine whether their MBTI personality types were independent of their PBL performance. In particular, MBTI types were regressed on evaluation subcategories, including tutor evaluation and oral test. RESULTS: ESTJ (20.9%) and ISTJ (18.6%) were the most common MBTI personality types in dental graduate students. Compared with males, female students performed significantly better on the PBL. Judging was the most notable type in PBL performance, with its J-P index being statistically significant. CONCLUSION: PBL is implemented, based on the perspective of student-centered education. Accordingly, the types of personality that usually matriculate in dental school should be monitored, and a student-centered approach to dental education should be adopted.
Dentistry ; Education ; Education, Dental ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Personality Inventory ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Schools, Dental ; Seoul

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is the capability of coronary arteriolar bed to dilate in response to increased cardiac metabolic demand. Nocorandil, a hybrid of ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener and nitrates, causes coronary vasodilation of both epicardial and resistance vessels. We investigated the feasibility and safety of nicorandil as compared to adenosine in the measurement of CFR using a Doppler guide wire. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We measured CFR in 26 consecutive patients (mean age 52+/-19 years, M:F=16:10) during coronary intervention with a 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire. We recorded the baseline average peak velocity (APV) and the hyperemic APV induced by intracoronary adenosine or nicorandil. The heart rate, mean aortic pressure and the time interval from maximal APV to baseline APV were also recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between APV, diastole/systole velocity ratio and CFR induced by adenosine and those induced by nicorandil (44.4 +/- 17.3 vs 45.5 +/- 17.6, p=0.78, 1.59 +/- 0.51 vs 1.57 +/- 0.52 p=0.78, 2.22 +/- 0.89 vs 2.27 +/- 0.94, p=0.36). The CFR and diastole/systole velocity ratio induced by nicorandil showed a strong positive linear correlation with those by adenosine (r2=0.77, p=0.0001, r2=0.83, p=0.0001). Adenosine significantly decreased the heart rate as compared to nicorandil =-25.5 +/- 9.7 vs -8.7 +/- 4.9 bpm, p=0.001). There were no differences in the changes of mean aortic pressure between adenosine and nicorandil (-7 +/- 9 vs -2 +/- 3 mmHg, p=0.17). Nicorandil prolonged the time interval from maximal APV to baseline APV compared to adenosine (194 +/- 62 vs 37 +/- 12 sec, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Nicorandil is feasible and safe for use in measuring CFR using a Doppler guide wire and may replace adenosine.
Adenosine* ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nicorandil* ; Nitrates ; Ultrasonography ; Vasodilation

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to propose criteria for evaluating the validity of dental education systems in Korea and suggest future directions for their improvement. METHODS: We looked into dental educational institutions and derived criteria for analysis and comparison of dental education systems in Korea. Using analytical methods, we compared the strengths and weaknesses of each education system, and suggested core areas of improvement. RESULTS: Considering the demands placed on the Korean dental education sector, it is desirable to have an integrated education system that includes the preliminary and main courses, comprehensive training linking the basic medicine and clinical practice, and complete career guidance. CONCLUSIONS: A good dental education system is one that meets the educational goals set by a dental school. If the goal is to train a student to be a good dental practitioner, a 2+4 or 4+4 system is recommended, while a 3+4 model is more suitable when the objective is to train students to be researchers.
Education ; Education, Continuing ; Education, Dental ; Humans ; Korea ; Schools, Dental

BACKGROUND: Oral sodium phosphate (NaP) is currently used for colon preparation prior to colonoscopy or barium enema because of its convenience and efficacy. It can cause transient hyperphosphatemia and should be considered potentially dangerous in the presence of renal impairment. METHODS: A retrospective study was done in 48 patients (32 patients with normal renal function and 16 patients with azotemia : serum creatinine >or= 1.4 mg/dL) with hyperphosphatemia (serum phosphate >or= 6 mg/dL or 50% increase in baseline) who were administered NaP solution as bowel preparation at Seoul National University Hospital in the period of January 2000 to June 2003. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 60 years (range, 25-85 years). The increase of serum phosphate was 5.3 +/- 3.1 mg/dL (7.6 +/- 4.4 mg/dL in azotemia group vs. 4.2 +/- 1.2 mg/dL in normal renal function group). Serum calcium and potassium concentration decreased significantly, while serum sodium level increased significantly. There were no significant differences in serum chloride, total CO2, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. The product of calcium and phosphate increased from 33.0 +/- 11.3 mg2/dL2 to 74.0 +/- 28.7 mg2/dL2 (to 93.0 +/- 39.8 mg2/dL2 in azotemia group). Only 8 patients ingested the recommended dose of oral NaP with an appropriate time interval. The symptomatic adverse events were numbness in 3 patients and carpopedal spasm in 1 patient. 12 patients underwent CaCO3 or amphojel administration and 1 patient needed hemodialysis as a treatment of hyperphosphatemia. Serum phosphate returned to baseline level at 1.3 +/- 0.6 day (1.8 +/- 0.8 day in azotemia group vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3 day in normal renal function group). CONCLUSION: NaP is inappropriate for patients who may be at an increased risk for phosphate intoxication, especially patients with impaired renal function. Even to healthy adult without renal disease, NaP should be ingested the recommended dose with an appropriate time interval.
Adult ; Aluminum Hydroxide ; Azotemia ; Barium ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Creatinine ; Enema ; Humans ; Hyperphosphatemia* ; Hypesthesia ; Hypocalcemia ; Laxatives* ; Potassium ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Sodium ; Spasm

Pheochromocytomas often present with cardiovascular manifestations, such as arrhythmia, angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction and so on. Both dilated and nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathies are also rare complications of pheochromocytomas. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an apical variant form constitutes about 25% of cases in Japan, but only 1 to 2% of those in non-Japanese populations, including Korea. The cause of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHC) remains unknown. Recently, some cases of AHC associated with pheochromocytomas have been reported, with catecholamine thought to be an important cause. AHC associated with a pheochromocytoma has never been previously reported in Korea. Herein is reported our experience of a case of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated a pheochromocytoma with a review of the literature
Angina Pectoris ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiomyopathies* ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Japan ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pheochromocytoma*

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is well known for its association with accelerated atherosclerosis. Adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-alpha), which are produced and secreted in adipose tissue, have been suggested as predictors for cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the influence of adiponectin and TNF-alpha ratio on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of serum adiponectin/TNF-alpha levels on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: One hundred eleven newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical data including serum adiponectin, TNF-alpha were measured for each participant. Also we measured carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) at baseline and at 1 year follow-up (n=81). We finally examined the relationship among serum adiponectin over TNF-alpha levels (ADPN/TNF-alpha), baseline CIMT, and progression of CIMT at 1 year. RESULTS: ADPN/TNF-alpha negatively correlated with baseline CIMT (r=-0.231, p=0.025). Moreover, progression of CIMT was significant at 1 year (0.011+/-0.138 mm). There was a negative correlation between ADPN/TNF-alpha and progression of CIMT at 1 year (r=-0.172, p=0.038). In multiple regression analysis, age and HbA1c were found to be independent risk factors for baseline CIMT. However, only HbA1c was an independent risk factor for the progression of CIMT. CONCLUSION: ADPN/TNF-alpha was negatively associated with baseline CIMT and the progression of CIMT at 1 year. Overall glycemic control is the most important factor in the progression of CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Adiponectin* ; Adipose Tissue ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

BACKGROUND: Fat mass is an important determinant of bone mineral density (BMD), but the mechanism involved in this relationship is uncertain. Several lines of evidence have suggested the effects of fat mass on BMD may be mediated by hormonal factors, with the principal candidates being serum sex hormones, insulin, leptin and adiponectin. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the serum adipocytokine and ghrelin levels, and BMD in men. METHODS: Eighty men, aged 42~70 (mean age, 54.5 yr), were selected as the study subjects. The serum concentrations of leptin and ghrelin were measured with RIA, the adiponectin with ELISA and the resistin with EIA. The serum concentrations of estradiol, total testosterone and the biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured by standard methods. The BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum leptin level was found to correlate to the BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, serum fasting insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and calcium levels. Although the serum leptin level was not significantly correlated to the serum estradiol level, it did show a weak trend. The serum adiponectin level were correlated to the BMI, WHR and serum fasting insulin level; and the resistin to serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; ghrelin to age, WHR and serum triglyceride levels. A significant negative correlation was observed between the serum resistin level and lumbar spine BMD. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the serum leptin level and lumbar spine BMD. The above correlations were observed only when the BMI and the serum estradiol and insulin levels were included as independent variables in the regression analysis model. The serum adiponectin level was not significantly correlated with the BMD, either in the presence or absence of the BMI and serum insulin level. CONCLUSION: The serum adipocytokine level was observed to be partly associated with the BMD in men. Therefore, these data suggest that leptin and resistin may play roles in the bone mineral metabolism in men. Further studies are needed to larify this relationship
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adiponectin* ; Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Bone Density* ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Fasting ; Femur Neck ; Ghrelin* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Insulin ; Leptin* ; Male ; Metabolism ; Resistin* ; Spine ; Testosterone ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Fat mass is an important determinant of bone mineral density (BMD), but the mechanism involved in this relationship is uncertain. Several lines of evidence have suggested the effects of fat mass on BMD may be mediated by hormonal factors, with the principal candidates being serum sex hormones, insulin, leptin and adiponectin. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the serum adipocytokine and ghrelin levels, and BMD in men. METHODS: Eighty men, aged 42~70 (mean age, 54.5 yr), were selected as the study subjects. The serum concentrations of leptin and ghrelin were measured with RIA, the adiponectin with ELISA and the resistin with EIA. The serum concentrations of estradiol, total testosterone and the biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured by standard methods. The BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum leptin level was found to correlate to the BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, serum fasting insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and calcium levels. Although the serum leptin level was not significantly correlated to the serum estradiol level, it did show a weak trend. The serum adiponectin level were correlated to the BMI, WHR and serum fasting insulin level; and the resistin to serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; ghrelin to age, WHR and serum triglyceride levels. A significant negative correlation was observed between the serum resistin level and lumbar spine BMD. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the serum leptin level and lumbar spine BMD. The above correlations were observed only when the BMI and the serum estradiol and insulin levels were included as independent variables in the regression analysis model. The serum adiponectin level was not significantly correlated with the BMD, either in the presence or absence of the BMI and serum insulin level. CONCLUSION: The serum adipocytokine level was observed to be partly associated with the BMD in men. Therefore, these data suggest that leptin and resistin may play roles in the bone mineral metabolism in men. Further studies are needed to larify this relationship
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adiponectin* ; Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Bone Density* ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Fasting ; Femur Neck ; Ghrelin* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Insulin ; Leptin* ; Male ; Metabolism ; Resistin* ; Spine ; Testosterone ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a growing health problem, not only in women, but in men also. Sex hormones and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been shown to be the major determinant in male bone metabolism. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a recently identified cytokine, which acts as a decoy receptor for the receptor activator of the NF- B ligand (RANKL). OPG and RANKL have been shown to be important regulators of osteoclastogenesis in animal models. The relationship between the OPG-RANKL system and male bone status in human populations is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between circulating the OPG-RANKL system and bone mineral metabolism in 80 Korean men. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 80 men aged between 42 and 70 (mean age, 54.5 yr). The serum concentrations of OPG and RANKL were measured by ELISA. The serum concentrations of estradiol, total testosterone, IGF-I and biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured by standard methods. The bone mineral densites (BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between the serum OPG/RANKL ratios and osteocalcin levels (r=-0.229, p<0.05). The serum OPG levels were significantly correlated to the femoral neck BMD (r=-0.227, p<0.05). The mean value of the serum OPG was found to be greater in patients with osteoporosis at the femoral neck (mean SD, 4.72.1 pmol/L) than in subjects with a normal BMD (3.30.9 pmol/L, p<0.05). The serum RANKL/OPG ratios were significantly positively correlated to the serum estradiol level (r=0.401, p<0.001). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the serum OPG and estradiol levels (r=-0.288, p<0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, the BMI, serum OPG and RANKL levels, and the serum IGF-I level were identified as significant predictors of the femoral neck BMD. In another multiple regression analysis, only the serum estradiol level was identified as a significant predictor of the serum OPG level. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our data show that the serum OPG and RANKL levels are partly associated with bone mineral metabolism, and are related to the endogenous estrogen levels in human male populations. Therefore, the possibility exists that the OPG-RANKL system may be a mediator of the estradiol in male bone metabolism. However, there have been few study published on the relation between the serum OPG and estradiol levels in men. Further studies are needed to clarify this relationship
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Biomarkers ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Male ; Metabolism* ; Models, Animal ; NF-kappa B* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoprotegerin ; Spine ; Testosterone