The improvement of intestinal microflora is the main function of intestine-related healthy functional foods. In this context, probiotics, which have a beneficial effect on human health when ingested as live microorganisms, are an important component of functional food. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the as agents commonly used as probiotic bacteria. In reflection of the increasing recognition of the importance of the probiotics, new regulations and guidelines are being established to cover the functionality and safety of the probiotics. This article introduces some of the evaluations and guidelines being developed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, the Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate, and the Korean FDA. The beneficial effects of probiotics are known to be strain-specific. Therefore efforts to improve strain-specific characteristics are needed.
Bacteria ; Bifidobacterium ; Functional Food* ; Humans ; Joints ; Lactobacillus ; Probiotics ; Social Control, Formal*

PURPOSE: We studied the usefullness of intravenous administration of contrast material to facilitate in situ shock wave lithotripsy(SWL) of ureteral stones in cases that stone localization was difficult as radioluscent, less radiodense, small stone, and interference with visualization by bone or intestinal gas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1992 to June 1997 we treated 831 patients with ureteral stone by in-situ SWL using EDAP-LT02 piezoelectric lithotriptor which utilizes ultrasono and fluroscopy for stone localization. Among 831 patients, intravenous contrast material were used in 53 cases to facilitate stone localization during SWL treatments. To evaluate the effectiveness of stone localization by the assistance of intravenous contrast media we compared success rate, storages, treatment sessions, durations, and side effects of two groups with or without intravenous contrast material, based on the location and the size of stones. RESULTS: Among 53 patients, stone was localized without ureteral catheterization in 5.7%(25/437) of upper ureteral stone, 18.2%(18/99) of mid-ureteral stone, and 3.4%(10/295) of lower ureteral stone after administration of intravenous contrast material. There were no significant differences in success rate, storages, treatment sessions, and durations(p>0.05). There were no significant complications except dye hypersensitivity in two patients, who were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of intravenous contrast material during SWL allows effective localization of ureteral stones that otherwise could not be imaged adequately without ureteral catheterization. We believe that the use of intravenous contrast material for localization of ureteral stone in SWL have the benefits of inexpensiveness, noninvasiveness, and painlessness.
Administration, Intravenous ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Shock ; Ureter* ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the antibacterial effect of mastic oil on a representative caries-inducing bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Methods: S. mutans UA159 was maintained in a BHI medium containing 0.1% sugar at 37℃ and 10% CO2 . Strains were treated with six different concentrations of mastic oil (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5%). After incubation for 16 h, the antibacterial effect was evaluated by measuring the optical density (OD) and observing the colony-forming unit. A microtiter plate assay was performed to analyze the anti-adhesion ability of mastic oil on S. mutans. Results: More than 0.1% of mastic oil inhibited the growth of S. mutans. In addition, 0.4% mastic oil exterminated S. mutans. Mastic oil induced an anti-adhesive ability in S. mutans. Conclusions These results suggest that mastic oil may be used as a preventive measure against dental caries.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare each strain’s number of microorganisms found in oral samples collected using various collection methods. Methods: Twenty-two adults aged 40 and above participated in the study. Oral samples were collected from subjects using three different methods (stimulated saliva, oral biofilm, and calculus), and the collected samples were analyzed using the multiplex real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: The study included 22 subjects (2 men, 20 women) with an age range of 40-75 years.Healthy oral condition was observed in 10 subjects, while the remaining 12 had periodontitis. The saliva and biofilm collection methods for oral microorganisms detected Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsynthesis (Tf), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), which are the causative bacteria of periodontal disease, more effectively compared with the calculus group. In addition, the saliva group showed a better ability to detect Streptococcus mutans (Sm) which causes dental caries, compared with the biofilm and calculus groups. Comparisons based on the presence or absence of periodontitis and the collection method revealed a statistically significant difference in the number of oral microorganisms only in case of Sm strain. Conclusions The frequency of expression of certain strains varies according to the method of collection of oral microorganisms. Further, the saliva and biofilm methods of collecting oral microorganisms are more suitable for quantitative analysis of bacteria causing periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing year after year in Korean; and gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is increasing in this population as well. The aim of this study is to assess the association between age, body mass index(BMI) and GERD in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: Analysis was done on 1,016 subjects who had not had malignancy, uncontrolled metabolic disease, enteric surgery and organic esophageal disease. They completed a questionnaire that included past history and reflux symptoms. Endoscopy was performed by two gastroenterologists who were not given any patient information. Existence of GERD was determined by the esophageal syndrome criteria of the Montreal guidelines. Subjects were categorized by BMI, initially as: underweight, normal(18.5< or =BMI<25), overweight(25< or =BMI<30) and obese by the WHO criteria, and then as: underweight, normal(18.5< or =BMI<23), overweight(23< or =BMI<25) and obese by the Asian-Pacific criteria. RESULTS: The overall[is this correct] prevalence of GERD in our subjects was 15.5%. Age and sex were not correlated factors for GERD. By the WHO and the Asian-Pacific criteria, GERD was present in underweight(10.0%, 12.1%), normal(13.9%, 14.4%), overweight(18.6%, 13.0%) and obese groups(21.0%, 18.8%). No meaningful association was seen between BMI and GERD in either of the classified groups. Erosive GERD was seen in 83 subjects (8.2%) on endoscopy. The obese(BMI> or =25) group(12.1%) showed a meaningful increment in the prevalence of erosive GERD compared to the non-obese(BMI<25) group(6.2%)(p value 0.002). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GERD in healthy Korean adult subjects was not closely associated with obesity and age[according to BMI]; however, erosive GERD was found to have a strong association with obesity.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Diseases ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Metabolic Diseases ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness

BACKGROUND: There is a suggestion that tissue acidosis may contribute to the induction of pain in inflammation and ischemia. High local proton concentrations have been found in painful inflammatory and ischemic conditions. We assessed tissue pH and pain behavior in a rat model for postoperative pain. METHODS: An incision of skin, fascia, and muscle was performed in the right foot. Pain behaviors to von Frey, blunt probe stimulation, and resting pain were evaluated on the incised feet. Then tissue pH was measured in each of the five rats at 4 hours, 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after incision. RESULTS: The withdrawal threshold to von Frey was decreased, the response frequency to blunt probe and pain scores were elevated from 4 hours to 1 - 2 days after the incision. The deep tissue pH decreased from pH 7.16 in sham to pH 6.95, 6.90, 6.89, and 6.95 at 4 h and 1, 2, and 4 days after incision respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the tissue pH of the wound decreased after surgery. However, the change of tissue pH was not always consistent with pain behaviors. Our results suggest that tissue acidosis may relate partially to the induction of pain after tissue injury.
Acidosis ; Acute Pain* ; Animals ; Fascia ; Foot ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Inflammation ; Ischemia ; Models, Animal ; Pain, Postoperative ; Protons ; Rats* ; Skin ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and aniotensin II receptor blocker have been used in the treatment of heart failure. However, the effects of both agents are not known exactly in patients with ischemic heart failure. The clinical effects of Imidapril, Losartan and its combination on ischemic heart failure were observed after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS: Thirty six patients (58+/-8.8 year-old, 30 male) with myocardial infarction who underwent PCI with ejection fraction less than 45% by echocardiogram were included. The patients were divided into four groups; low (5 mg) and high (10 mg) doses of Imidapril (Group I: 58+/-6.1 years, M:F=:2 and II: 61+/-6 years, M:F=:1), combination of low dose Imidapril and 50 mg Losartan (Group III: 56+/-13 years, M:F=:0), and Losartan alone (Group IV: 57+/-9.3 years, M:F=:3). Clinical symptoms of angina and dyspnea, laboratory changes, exercise tolerance by treadmill test, and left ventricular function with dimension, and wall motion score by echocardiogram were observed at 4-week interval for 12 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among 4 groups in baseline clinical characteristics. In Group I, dyspnea and ejection fraction improved 12 weeks after therapy. Dyspnea and exercise tolerance improved in Group II. However, dyspnea and left ventricular function were unchanged in Group III, and 4 of them developed hypotension. In Group IV, left ventricular ejection fraction improved after therapy. Dry cough observed in 3 of Imidapril-treated patients, but withdrawal of drug was performed only in one of Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Monotherapy of Imidapril or Losartan is effective in the management of ischemic heart failure, but its combination shows no additional benefit.
Cough ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Losartan* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and aniotensin II receptor blocker have been used in the treatment of heart failure. However, the effects of both agents are not known exactly in patients with ischemic heart failure. The clinical effects of Imidapril, Losartan and its combination on ischemic heart failure were observed after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS: Thirty six patients (58+/-8.8 year-old, 30 male) with myocardial infarction who underwent PCI with ejection fraction less than 45% by echocardiogram were included. The patients were divided into four groups; low (5 mg) and high (10 mg) doses of Imidapril (Group I: 58+/-6.1 years, M:F=:2 and II: 61+/-6 years, M:F=:1), combination of low dose Imidapril and 50 mg Losartan (Group III: 56+/-13 years, M:F=:0), and Losartan alone (Group IV: 57+/-9.3 years, M:F=:3). Clinical symptoms of angina and dyspnea, laboratory changes, exercise tolerance by treadmill test, and left ventricular function with dimension, and wall motion score by echocardiogram were observed at 4-week interval for 12 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among 4 groups in baseline clinical characteristics. In Group I, dyspnea and ejection fraction improved 12 weeks after therapy. Dyspnea and exercise tolerance improved in Group II. However, dyspnea and left ventricular function were unchanged in Group III, and 4 of them developed hypotension. In Group IV, left ventricular ejection fraction improved after therapy. Dry cough observed in 3 of Imidapril-treated patients, but withdrawal of drug was performed only in one of Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Monotherapy of Imidapril or Losartan is effective in the management of ischemic heart failure, but its combination shows no additional benefit.
Cough ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Losartan* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND: With no current method of prevention available, early detection of breast cancer by regular self and clinical examination in conjunction with screening mammography is emphasized. The rate of asymptomatic breast cancer detection has been increased due to the ability of mammography. METHODS: To address questions about the biology and clinical manifestation of mammographically detected breast cancer, a retrospective analysis was performed to the 31 cases of asymptomatic breast cancer treated from Jan. 1989 to Dec. 1996 at Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.0 with ranges from 27 to 80. The peak age was 5th decade. The most common mammographic findings of asymptomatic breast cancer was microcalcification (22 cases, 71.1%). Eighteen patients underwent modified radical mastectomy (58.1%): simple mastectomy in 4 cases (12.9%), and breast conserving surgery in 9 cases (29.0%). The histologic types were as follows: infiltrating ductal carcinoma in 17 cases (64.5%), microinvasive carcinoma in 3 cases (9.6%) and ductal carcinoma in situ in 9 cases (29.0%). Twenty one patients showed smaller than 1 cm in tumor size. Only 3 cases of invasive ductal carcinomas had axillary nodal metastasis. All cases except four cases demonstrated stage 0 (29.1%) and stage I (54.8%) according to the AJCC classification: whereas the rate of stage 0 and I in symptomatic patients during same study period was 4.1% and 19.6% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The result of our study indicate that several benefits of mammographic screening are likely the result of detection of invasive carcinoma at an early stage and detection of noninvasive carcinoma that may later develop into or mark increased risk of invasive carcinoma. A prospective and systematic approach for evaluating efficiency of screening mammography would be necessary in Korea.
Biology ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Classification ; Humans ; Korea ; Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of dental amalgam, a restorative material, on children by measuring the mercury concentration in the urine as well as the number of teeth filled with dental amalgam. METHODS: Twenty children enrolled in grades 1-4 of two elementary schools in Daegu participated in this study. One trained dentist performed oral examinations and removed amalgam restorations from the teeth with a high and low speed handpiece. In order to measure the urinary mercury concentrations, urine samples were collected from all participants at baseline and immediately and 24 hours after removal of the dental amalgam restorations. RESULTS: The mean number of teeth from which the amalgam restorations was removed was 9.8 while the mean urinary mercury concentrations at baseline, immediately, and 24 hours after removal of dental amalgam restorations were 2.66, 2.76, and 2.76 microg/g creatinine, respectively. The mean urinary mercury concentration increased consistently after amalgam restoration removal. For those participants whose removed amalgamated surfaces were more than 11, the mean urinary mercury concentration immediately after amalgam restoration removal and 24 hours after removal increased consistently but showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that dental amalgam restoration was related to urinary mercury concentration, and these findings present a possibility of mercury accumulation in the body. Therefore, we suggest future longitudinal studies to ensure the safety of children exposed to mercury by establishing criteria for amalgam removal.
Child* ; Creatinine ; Daegu ; Dental Amalgam ; Dentists ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Pilot Projects* ; Tooth