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*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The eventual goal of reperfusion therapy, for an acute myocardial infarction (MI), is rapid and complete reperfusion into the myocardium beyond the epicardial artery. The recently designed TIMI frame count (TFC) and myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) can be used to define the myocardial tissue perfusion. This study was undertaken to compare the TFC and TMPG for the assessment of myocardial reperfusion following primary angioplasty in patients with an acute anterior wall infarction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 33 patients, who admitted for acute myocardial infarction, between January 1998 and March 2001, were the subjects of this study. The subjects all underwent successful primary angioplasty on the LAD, with TIMI III flow. The ECGs, performed on admission and 1 hr after the angioplasty, were compared, the extent of the resolution of the ST elevation assessed. The TFC and TMPG were analyzed by 2 different observers using the coronary angiograms performed immediately and 7 days after the angioplasty. A retrospective analysis of the clinical events at the hospital, and the major coronary events during a follow-up of more than 6 months after discharge were performed. RESULTS: The subjects were divided into 3 groups, completely recovered (n=11) and incompletely recovered (n=12) and not recovered (n=10), according to extent of the resolution of the ST elevation. There were no differences between the groups in their baseline characteristics. The TFC in the completely recovered group was significant lower (p=0.02, p=0.01) than the other patient groups immediately after the angioplasty, but there was no significant difference (p=0.28, p=0.32) in the TFC between the 3 patients groups 7 day after the angioplasty. The TMPG in the completely recovered group was consistently higher than in the other patient groups, both immediately and 7 days after the angioplasty. Five patients, who developed major coronary events during 16 month follow-up, tended to show no, or an incomplete resolution, of their ST elevation. They also showed significantly lower TMPG compared with the others, both immediately, and 7 days, after PTCA, but no significant difference at all in the TFC. CONCLUSION: The TMPG was closely associated with the rate of the ST elevation resolution in both the early and late periods after the primary angioplasty in acute MI, indicating that the TMPG is a better marker for the evaluation of myocardial reperfusion after primary angioplasty than the TFC. The low TMPG was observed to be related with a higher major coronary event rate, suggesting its usefulness as a predictor of long-term prognosis.
Angioplasty* ; Arteries ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Reperfusion* ; Myocardium ; Perfusion* ; Prognosis ; Reperfusion ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Existing data on the spatiotemporal expression patterns of a variety of galectins in murine atherosclerosis are limited. We investigated the expression levels of galectins, and their in vivo spatiotemporal expression patterns and statin responsiveness in the inflamed atherosclerotic plaques of apolipoprotein E (apoE)-/- mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Galectins expression patterns in aortic atherosclerotic plaques and serum galectin-3 levels were investigated in 26-week-old apoE-/- (n=6) and C57BL/6 mice (n=9). To investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in plaques, high-cholesterol diet-fed 26-week-old (n=12) and 36-week-old apoE-/- mice (n=6) were sacrificed and their aortas were examined for galectins' expression using immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemical stain. 36-week-old apoE-/- mice were treated with atorvastatin (n=3, 0.57 mg/kg/day) for the evaluation of its effect on aortic galectins' expression. RESULTS: Immunoblot analyses showed that galectin-1 and galectin-3 were the predominant galectins expressed in murine atherosclerosis. The serum galectin-3 level was significantly higher in apoE-/- mice (p<0.001). While galectin-1 was weakly expressed in both intimal plaques and the media of atherosclerotic aortas, galectin-3 was heavily and exclusively accumulated in intimal plaques. Galectin-3 distribution was colocalized with plaque macrophages' distribution (r=0.66). As the degree of plaque extent and inflammation increased, the intraplaque galectin-3 expression levels proportionally elevated (p<0.01 vs. baseline), whereas galectin-1 expression had not elevated (p=0.14 vs. baseline). Atorvastatin treatment markedly reduced intraplaque galectin-3 and macrophage signals (p<0.001 vs. baseline), whereas it failed to reduce galectin-1 expression in the aortas. CONCLUSION: Galectin-3 is the predominant gal and is colocalized with macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques. Intraplaque galectin-3 expression reflects the degree of plaque inflammation.
Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins ; Atherosclerosis ; Galectin 1 ; Galectin 3 ; Galectins ; Heptanoic Acids ; Inflammation ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Pyrroles ; Atorvastatin Calcium

BACKGROUND: It is evident that cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis as well as the progression of renal diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytokine gene polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to end-stage kidney failure (ESKF) in Korean populations. METHODS: -308 G/A polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene was genotyped in 257 dialysis patients and 277 age-matched healthy controls, 86 NIDDM patients with kidney failure and 102 NIDDM controls without nephropathy. RESULTS: We found a decreased frequency of TNF-alpha allele 2 (TNF2, 2.9%) in ESKF patients compared to healthy controls (7.5%, p<0.05). We also found a decreased frequency of TNF-alpha allele 2 (TNF2, 2.3%) in NIDDM patients with kidney failure compared to NIDDM controls without nephropathy (7.6%, p<0.05). The carriage rate of TNF2 was significantly lower in NIDDM patients with kidney failure than in NIDDM controls without nephropathy (4.4% vs. 13.2%, p<0.05). In addition, allele frequency of TNF2 were remarkably different from those previously reported, indicating a significant ethnic difference. CONCLUSION: There is a significant ethnic difference in the polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene. The non-carriage TNF2 was more prevalent in the kidney failur group. But, we could not determine any association between the TNF-alpha gene polymorphism and the development of kidney failure.
Alleles ; Cytokines ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dialysis ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Renal Insufficiency* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been known as an important predictor of prognosis of cardiovascular disease. Carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP) is related with myocardial fibrosis. We sought to analyze the differences in the characteristics of LVH, myocardial fibrosis, and LV functions among hypertension (HBP), diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients with LVH. Patients were grouped as HBP (n=50), DM (n=41), CRF (n=31). Age and sex-matched normal control was also enrolled (n=32). Echocardiography and blood sampling for serum PIP level measuring was performedin all participants. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics except systolic blood pressure among four groups. In three patients groups, their LV mass indices were significantly increased than control. Serum PIP level in CRF was much higher than others (CRF 1505.5 vs. HBP 868.7 vs. DM 687.5 vs. control 826.4, p<0.0001). LV diastolic and systolic function evaluated by E', E/E, S' and midwall fractional shortening was significantly decreased in three patients groups. However, LAVi was significantly elevated and LV ejection fraction was significantly decreased in CRF compared to others. In correlation analysis, indices of diastolic function were weakly, but statistically correlated with PIP (E': r=0.234, p=0.006; LAVi: r=0.231, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: In CRF, LV function was more deteriorated and serum PIP was more elevated when compared to HBP or DM. Therefore, myocardial fibrosis may play an important role to LV dysfunction as well as LV hypertrophy in CRF in some degree.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Collagen Type I ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Echocardiography ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Prognosis