Hantaan virus is widely distributed among rodent populations in Korea. Two antigenically distinct hantaviruses were isolated from Apodemus agrarius in 1976 and Rattus norvegicus in 1980 in Korea. This study was designed to investigate the serological evidence of hantavirus infection among indegenous wild rodents, which were captured in 11 mountains located in Kyunggi, Kangwon, Chungnan, Chunbug and Kyungnam province of South Korea. A total 252 wild rodents of 3 species were trapped from Myungsung Mt., Chumbong Mt., Kali Mt., Hansuk Mt., Chachil peak, Kyebang Mt., Odae Mt., Kyerong Mt., Kaya Mt., Togju Mt. and Chiri Mt. in 1997. Serologic test for hantavirus infection was performed using hantavirus antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique. Among 122 Apodemus agrarius, 88 Apodemus peninsulae and 42 Eothenomys regulus; 18 A. agrarius (14.8%), 12 A. peninsulae (13.6%) and 4 E. regulus (9.5%) were immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) positive against hantaan virus. IFA titers 3 Eothenomys regulus sera were higher against puumalavirus than hantaan virus. These data imply that above three species of rodent might be natural reservoirs of hantaviruses in Korea.
Animals ; Gangwon-do ; Gyeonggi-do ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Hantaan virus ; Hantavirus Infections* ; Hantavirus* ; Korea* ; Murinae ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Serologic Tests

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during admission. METHOD: Thirty eight SCI patients were enrolled. The NBD score by Krogh was converted to the Korean-version of NBD score. The questionnaires of NBD score included questions about neurogenic bowel symptoms, signs, gender, age, duration, injury level, American spinal cord injury association impairment scale (AIS) and Spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) were used for evaluation of the functional impairment of the SCI. The Korean version of NBD score was applied to the SCI patients at the time of admission and discharge. Neurogenic bowel was treated according to scheduled bowel care. The subcomponents of bowel care protocol were education of bowel habit, abdominal massage, triggered defecation, oral medication and rectal stimulants insertion. RESULTS: The NBD score at the time of discharge decreased significantly in all patients within three months after SCI (p<0.001). Particularly, AIS A, C, D patients (except for cauda equina syndrome patients) (p<0.005) showed significant decrease of NBD score. There were no significant difference of NBD score according to age, sex, injured cord level and SCIM (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We could reveal the significant improvement of NBD in patients within three months after SCI during admission. The change was more evident in AIS A, C, D patients.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cytarabine ; Defecation ; Etoposide ; Humans ; Massage ; Methotrexate ; Neurogenic Bowel ; Polyradiculopathy ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries

PURPOSE: The aims of the present study are to determine the optimum compression rate in terms of file size reduction and diagnostic quality of the images after compression and evaluate the transmission speed of original or each compressed images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of 24 extracted human premolars and molars. The occlusal surfaces and proximal surfaces of the teeth had a clinical disease spectrum that ranged from sound to varying degrees of fissure discoloration and cavitation. The images from Digora system were exported in TIFF and the images from conventional intraoral film were scanned and digitalized in TIFF by Nikon SF-200 scanner(Nikon, Japan). And six compression factors were chosen and applied on the basis of the results from a pilot study. The total number of images to be assessed were 336. Three radiologists assessed the occlusal and proximal surfaces of the teeth with 5-rank scale. Finally diagnosed as either sound or carious lesion by one expert oral pathologist. And sensitivity and specificity and kappa value for diagnostic agreement was calculated. Also the area(Az) values under the ROC curve were calculated and paired t-test and oneway ANOVA test was performed. Thereafter, transmission time of the image files of the each compression level were compared with that of the original image files. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between original and the corresponding images up to 7%(1:14) compression ratio for both the occlusal and proximal caries(p<0.05). JPEG3(1:14) image files are transmitted fast more than 10 times, maintained diagnostic information in image, compared with original image files. CONCLUSON: 1:14 compressed image file may be used instead of the original image and reduce storage needs and transmission time.
Bicuspid ; Data Compression* ; Humans ; Molar ; Pilot Projects ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tooth

A 31-year-old male with severe limitation of mouth opening was referred to our department of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The physical status of the patient was hyposthenic. Extraoral examination showed no condylar movement of the both temporomandibular joints, no pain, no faical swelling or paresthesia. Intraoral examination showed several cervical caries on the upper anterior teeth, and gingival swelling on the whole dentition. Transcranial view showed no condylar movement, and narrowing of joint spaces. Chest P-A view showed straightening of thoracic, lumbar spine, and squaring of vertebrae of the same spines. Conventional lateral radiograph of cervical spine showed calcification of the intervertebral ligament. Computed tomograph showed extensive bone formation between temporal bone and the both condylar heads. Labortory findings showed positive reaction on HLA-B27 histocompatibility antigen and increased level of IgA, IgG, ESR. Based on the clinical, radiographic, and the labortary findings, final diagnosis was made as bony ankylosis of the both temporomandibular joints secondary to ankylosing spondylitis.
Adult ; Ankylosis* ; Dentition ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Histocompatibility Antigens ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Jeollabuk-do ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Male ; Mouth ; Osteogenesis ; Paresthesia ; Root Caries ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Temporal Bone ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Thorax ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To assess bone changes of mandibular condyle using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 314 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) images of 163 TMD patients were examined at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Chonbuk National University. The images were obtained by PSR9000N (Asahi Roentgen Co., Japan) and reconstructed by using Asahivision software (Asahi Roentgen Co., Japan). The CBCT images were examined three times with four weeks interval by three radiologists. Bone changes of mandibular condyle such as flattening, sclerosis, erosion and osteophyte formation were observed in sagittal, axial, coronal and 3 dimensional images of the mandibular condyle. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0. Intra- and interobserver agreement were performed by 3 radiologists without the knowledge of clinical information. RESULTS: Osteophyte (2.9%) was found more frequently on anterior surface of the mandibular condyle. Erosion (31.8%) was found more frequently on anterior and medial surfaces of the mandibular condyle. The intraobserver agreement was good to excellent (k=0.78-0.84), but interobserver agreement was fair (k=0.45). CONCLUSION: CBCT can provide high qualified images of bone changes of the TMJ with axial, coronal and 3 dimensional images.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Mandibular Condyle* ; Osteophyte ; Sclerosis ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Peripheral ameloblastoma is an extremely rare odontogenic soft tissue tumor with histologic characteristics similar to those of the intraosseous ameloblastoma. It appears in the gingiva and oral mucosa. And it usually does not show any bone involvement on radiographs, except for saucer shaped erosion of underlying alveolar bone. Recurrence is considered uncommon. We report a case of peripheral ameloblastoma with bone involvement. Histologically it presented with follicles and nest of tumor cells with palisading pattern. And radiographs showed the typical saucer shaped alveolar bone erosion at the distal area of right mandibular third molar. At 6-month follow-up after operation, no local recurrence was noted.
Ameloblastoma* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gingiva ; Molar, Third ; Mouth Mucosa ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of irradiation on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA expression and calcific nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. When the cells reached the level of 70-80% confluence, culture media were changed with alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS, 5 mM beta-glycerol phosphate, and 50 microgram/mL ascorbic acid. Thereafter the cells were irradiated with a single dose of 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy at a dose rate of 1.5 Gy/min. The expression pattern of TGF-beta1 mRNA, calcium content and calcific nodule formation were examined on day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, respectively, after the irradiation. RESULTS: The amount of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. It also decreased on day 14 after irradiation of 6, 8 Gy, and decreased on day 21 after irradiation of 8 Gy. The amount of calcium deposition decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy (P.0.01) and showed a decreased tendency on day 14, 21 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. The number of calcific nodules was decreased on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy. CONCLUSION: Irradiation with a single dose of 4, 6, 8 Gy influences negatively the bone formation at the molecular level by affecting the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression that was associated with proliferation and the production of extracellular matrix in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Cell Line ; Culture Media ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glycerophosphates ; Organic Chemicals ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of clavicle fracture in birth trauma associated with delivery, fetal presentation, birth weight and to identify the difference of the prognosis of clavicle fracture when immobilization was performed or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 12,738 live births from March 1996 to December 2000, we reveiwed retrospectively the medical records and radiographs of 39 cases of clavicle fracture which were followed for more than 6 months. Statistical analysis was measured P-value. Except 11 cases that diagnosis was delayed, 27 cases were treated with figure of 8-bandage, and 1 case, which was combined with humerus fracture, was treated with long arm cast. RESULTS: Among 39 cases infants of clavicle fracture, 36 cases (0.57%) were delivered through vaginal delivery, 3 cases (0.04%) through ceasarean section. Fetal presentations were cephalic presentation in 29 cases, shoulder dystocia in 8 cases, breech presentation in 2 cases. The mean birth weight was 3.8 kg, the high prevalence (8.5%) was identified on large birth weight infants more than 4 kg (p<0.05). The fracture site was proximal portion in 12 cases, middle portion in 27 cases and right clavicle in 24 cases, left clavicle in 13 cases and both clavicle in 1 case. The combined injuries were the brachial plexus palsy (2 cases), skull fracture (1 case) and cephalhematoma (1 case). Finally all cases of clavicle fracture were shown radiographically bony union within 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: The newborn clavicle fractures were remarkably low incidence in cesarean section delivery and were easily neglected, and were detected accidentally on simple chest X-ray that was performed for upper respiratory infection. As a conclusion, it is necessary of screening test through careful physical examination and X-ray interpretation.
Arm ; Birth Weight ; Brachial Plexus ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; Clavicle* ; Diagnosis ; Dystocia ; Female ; Humans ; Humerus ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Labor Presentation ; Live Birth ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Paralysis ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Skull Fractures ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and the cortical topography of swallowing muscles in healthy subjects. METHOD: Fourteen healthy subjects were enrolled. Their mean age was 31 years. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to left and right motor cortices in turn and contralateral electromyographic recordings were done from orbicularis oris, masseter, submental and infrahyoid muscles during resting. The scalp sites of maximal response and the lowest stimulus output which elicited motor evoked potential (MEP) of these muscles were recorded. The onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of MEP were measured for each muscle. RESULTS: Most of the maximal MEPs of swallowing muscles were evoked within 9~17 cm lateral and 1~5 cm anterior from Cz and they showed interhemispheric symmetry. In submental and infrahyoid muscles, the threshold of right cortical excitability was significantly lower than that of left cortical excitability. The latency of the left submental MEP was statistically shorter than that of right submental MEP. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the cortical representation of swallowing muscles displays interhemispheric symmetry. In addition, we suggest that submental and infrahyoid muscles have right cortical dominant tendency.
Deglutition ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Motor Cortex ; Muscles ; Scalp ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reorganization of descending motor pathways of trunk muscles in stroke patients. METHOD: Nine patients with unilateral hemispheric stroke were enrolled. Their mean age was 56 years. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to unaffected and affected motor cortices in turn and bilateral electromyographic recordings were made from rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, and 4 th and 9 th thoracic erector spinae muscles during resting. The onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP) were measured for each muscle on both sides. RESULTS: Stimulation of the unaffected hemisphere evoked contralateral responses in all patients. Ipsilateral responses were more common in TMS of affected hemisphere. Ipsilateral but not contralateral MEPs were obtained in TMS of affected hemisphere. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the variable availability of bilateral crossed and uncrossed corticomotorneuronal projections among patients could be related with the inconstant occurrence of trunk weakness after unilateral hemispheric stroke.
Efferent Pathways ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Humans ; Muscles ; Rectus Abdominis ; Stroke ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation